
The Black Lives Matter protests has brought out both the best and worst in humanity, as people either took a stand against racism or helped perpetuate the issue further.
In the UK thousands took to the streets of London, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol, to name but a few, with the latter playing host to an incredible scene where the statue of Edward Colston, a slave trader from the 1600s, was torn down and thrown into a river.
Celebrities also arrived at the protests including world champion boxer Anthony Joshua, who read a speech to crowds in Watford, with Lewis Capaldi and Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock of Little Mix attending marches in Edinburgh and London respectively.
Their attendance at the protests was obviously championed by many but there were those who were infuriated by the stars using their right to protest. You won't be shocked to hear that one of those people is the former leader of the English Defence League, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson.
The far-right activist posted a video on social media bemoaning Joshua and Thirlwall, claiming that they endorsed the defacing of the Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square. These are his eloquent words on the matter:
What's happening? What's going on? These protests today. You know that Anthony Joshua. You got anything to say about this s**t.
You got anything to say about the Churchill statue or do you think he is a 'racist' as well do ya?
What about Little Mix? You were there weren't ya? Aye? Do you support the defacing of our Churchill statue do ya?
We won't transcribe everything he said but here is a hilarious version of his rant set to 'Parklife' by Blur.
Quite why Robinson singled out Little Mix for criticism is a little confusing but it would hardly be the first time that the group have been attacked by middle-aged white people for just being themselves.
Robinson's bizarre tirade against the popstars has brought their legion of fans out in support of their favourite artists and some of the takedowns of the 37-year-old have been perfect.
Still laughing at “WHAT ABOUT LITTLE MIX.” Honestly might be the funniest thing I’ve seen for a long time.— Andy Ha (@Andy Ha) 1591570296
Little Mix to K*tie Grubkins, P**rs Moron, and T*mmy Froginson: https://t.co/odkVpYUrZx— kate (@kate) 1591606849
the fact that the scum of the UK that is tommy robinson, katie hopkins and piers morgan all hate little mix tells y… https://t.co/tWZ1QoD8OB— 🌫 (@🌫) 1591608138
Now that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (Tommy Robinson) joins Katie Hopkins in badmouthing #LittleMix We are all a Little Mix fans ♥️— nazir afzal (@nazir afzal) 1591606285
Two of the most racists and islamaphoic people in Britain aka Tommy Robinson and Katie Hopkins hate Little Mix. I h… https://t.co/Ub5rru1Rnc— Kay⁷ (@Kay⁷) 1591579697
‘WHAT ABOUT LITTLE MIX?’ https://t.co/vWrdnUBEvc— Because thats my name (@Because thats my name) 1591600830
Yaxley Lennon when Little Mix come calling! Snowflake! ❄️https://t.co/sZzx3ARrzY— F**k AFTV (@F**k AFTV) 1591602563
https://t.co/cYNVI5ULGH— Nooruddean (@Nooruddean) 1591611647
Robinson targeting Little Mix comes just days after Thirlwall spoke out against the media for consistently confusing her with Pinnock. Taking to Instagram the singer wrote:
This s*** happens ALL THE TIME. You might want to make sure you’re using an image of the correct mixed-race member of the group.
It offends me that you couldn’t differentiate the two women of colour out of four members of a group…DO BETTER.
It's good to see Little Mix taking such a stand against racism, and even better to see people having their back.