Thread by @flaminhaystacks

I was on the bus one day with my small kids when an elderly man was verbally assaulted

Everyone got up & moved away

Except me

I sat next to him and created a physical barrier between him and the man screaming threats at him.

I was terrified but refused to leave his side

1/

The bus driver eventually stopped the bus & called the police

Abusive man gets off the bus

I give this old man my phone number & offer to be a witness

He said to me " Did you see how everyone moved away? Thank you for staying with me "

2/

Later on the police visited my house to take a statement. They said how grateful Richard had been that I'd helped him so much.

I replied that I just treat people the way I would want to be treated

The police officer said to me, " Do you not know who Richard is?"

3/

When I shook my head, she said
"You may have heard of his son, Damilola?"

The man I'd defended was Richard Taylor against someone who'd been enraged that the Preddie brothers had been jailed for murdering Damilola

4/

It was after that incident that I decided to apply to become a firefighter with @LondonFire

I knew I'd never be the strongest, fastest or bravest, but I knew without a doubt that I would stand up and be counted when it mattered.

5/

Today, Damilola Taylor would be 33 years old.

Happy heavenly birthday

I'm so sorry that no one was there to take a stand between you and your murderers that day

/End

#Damilola #damilolataylor #firefighter #london

That's a very moving message to receive from one of the Police officers who worked on the murder case ❤️