Kobe Bryant's death on January 26 in a tragic helicopter crash is one of the biggest celebrity deaths of recent years and people are still coming to terms with his and his daughter, Gianna's untimely loss.
Although an official memorial service for the star will not be held until February 24, the Los Angeles Lakers, the team he played his entire career for, paid tribute to their icon before their game with the Portland Trail Blazers last Friday.
The ceremony featured video montages of Bryant, a rendition of the national anthem by Boyz II Men and a moving speech by his teammate and friend Lebron James.
It was the sort of event that no one should be mocking or even attempting to make a meme for but sadly that is what happened.
An image of James crying during the ceremony has started to appear on Twitter, with users attempting to turn it into a meme.
@RatchetNerd_ Friend : y’all cute together My crush : ewwww no 😂 Me: https://t.co/1lkrz9nFbI— кเภɠ ๏Ŧ tђє ภ๏гtђ 🐺🗡 (@кเภɠ ๏Ŧ tђє ภ๏гtђ 🐺🗡) 1580585233
As reported by Daily Dot, there has been a strong backlash against these memes with many calling on others to stop posting them.
We, Twitter, made an agreement that we will not use LeBron as a meme from Kobe’s Tribute https://t.co/gTpfS52Utw— Mike (@Mike) 1580858779
Can we make a pact as a family to NEVER allow these pics to become memes? https://t.co/GVlu5Ay128— Vaccine Shaw, Atty At Law ⚖️ 🇳🇬 (@Vaccine Shaw, Atty At Law ⚖️ 🇳🇬) 1580528818
These pleas haven't been greeted by everyone with some even replying to these requests with the meme.
Now people are taking stronger action against anyone who posts the meme by reporting them for sharing 'harmful or abusive content.'
@Mp3times @SaxxSupreme Everytime someone makes a meme of that pic report it— You know my name (@You know my name) 1580933691
instead of quote tweeting that meme pic of Lebron at Kobe’s tribute, just report it ....— KILO (@KILO) 1580949814
when u report somebody for making that Lebron pic a meme then Twitter gets em for something else >>> 😂 https://t.co/WxDAG1z9LT— Guap Gobbler (@Guap Gobbler) 1580607349