Martyn Hett's Mum | Initiator of Martyn's Law | MSc Counterterrorism | ASyl | TINYg senior leadership | F.ISRM | Honorary Doctorate University of Salford
@realDonaldTrump
@theresa_may
My son Martyn Hett was killed at Manchester arena. So I experienced terror first hand. But spreading racist material is equal to throwing petrol into a burning fire. Anger breeds anger, hate breeds hate! Please just stop all this hate campaign.
Today Martyn would have been 33 years old and he would have been utterly frustrated not to celebrate in style. A sunny day here where I live, yet a beautiful rainbow appeared out of nowhere and was gone thirty seconds later. Guess he said "Hi, Mum!"
Tomorrow is the fourth anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack where we lost 22 amazing people but tomorrow also marks the anniversary of Fusilier Lee Rigby
@leerigbyfdn
who was murdered in 2013. Thinking about his family as well. 🥀♥️
Media asking my view on Royal Navy rescuing my son’s murderer a few years ago. I am not entering the blame game. They were doing their job and nobody could have foreseen that the devil incarnate was amongst these people. Absence of humanity/conscience is invisible.
A very talented young man did this charcoal drawing of Martyn soon after he died. Finally got it framed & behind glass to protect it. Sadly, I cannot hang it up as it is too upsetting. It is literally like a photo. Grief is just so tough!
Finally watched It's a Sin. All five episodes. I am old enough to remember everything only too well. It makes me proud to be Martyn's mum & how he felt totally comfortable with being gay. But goodness, so many people suffered awfully!!! So much fear, prejudice & ignorance then.
Apologies if I forget to respond to tweets tomorrow. I will not be on social media much for obvious reasons. I want everyone who has been affected by the Arena attack to know that my heart is with each of them. Thinking about you all. Stay strong 🐝💖💖💖
Dear Twitter friends, celebrating Martyn's life with family & friends.Will be off twitter til Monday. Thank you in advance for every kind word. I will read everything but will not reply as there are so many of you. Pls don't be offended. Thank you for being so kind to me always.
Thank you
@YvetteCooperMP
for saying this. Terror attacks are an attack against the state but individuals get caught up in them through no fault of their own.
#MartynsLaw
will save lives & has to be prioritised.
Standing with the victims of terror isn't a choice - it is an obligation. Labour is fully committed to Martyn's Law and will introduce it in government.
@FigenMurray
Actually, thinking of all the mums who have to face Mother’s Day having outlived their children. No mother would want to be in that position. Sending you all much courage, strength and love. I know how very hard it is.♥️🥀
Happy 35th birthday today, Martyn! My heart is broken since you died yet somehow you give me the strength to get up every day & work on what needs to happen.
#MartynsLaw
has to become a reality to avoid more heartache. It will be your gift to the public to keep them safe. 💖
Please share this as widely as possible today. Her parents said she wanted to be famous. Let’s make it happen. Keep sharing and retweeting. Let’s make this go viral.
Happy Heavenly 34th Birthday Martyn Hett!♥️ Martyn was 29 when he lost his life at Manchester Arena. Martyn was described as a caring soul with such an active social life. He was kind, funny and always full of life and a Coronation Street superfan!
Happy Birthday♥️
@FigenMurray
We sold the house the month Martyn died. He grew up there! As he was meant to travel for 2 months he wanted one last photo outside the house with all of us! Two days later he died. So glad I have this photo. My screensaver forever.
@ClaireCarmalt
The 1975. Matt Healey.....what the hell were you thinking of releasing a music video where you carry a suicide vest and blow yourself up? You are from Manchester. Be ashamed..... be very ashamed. It is disgusting and an insult to the 22 people murdered.
Ready for my pilgrimage trip to the Eurovision semi final. Martyn worshipped the song contest.....This trip is for you, Martyn. I am
#beingmoreMartyn
by painting my nails in Ukranian colours. Had to be done!!
I do a lot of stuff on counterterrorism & radicalisation but grieving is also right up there for me as it is my constant shadow & companion. Charlie Mackesy's book really helped me a lot.
@charliemackesy
like this page for instance!
Amidst the misery & massive fallout of losing Martyn two good things happened this week. One of my daughters got married to the boy she knew since age 8, and my youngest daughter graduated with a 1st in her Masters in Maths. 🌺
Driving in the dark tonight I was struck by the mass of Christmas lights all around me. Seems everyone decided on more sparkle this year. It feels like an unspoken agreement amongst people. The world seems wounded & this definitely brightened my soul tonight. Feeling the love💖
It's bin day today. Hope my bin men see this note as I really appreciate they continue doing what they do. My post person will get a similar note tomorrow.
Just put a rose down on Martyn's bench in Heaton Moor, sat in the rain and reflecting. Looking at the are we held his vigil & remembering the picnics he used to have there with his classmates🥀
I hate 22.31 - bittersweet evening. Watching Eurovision in memory of Martyn. I would give anything to have a banter with him about it all. Thank you
@iainoverton
for indulging me tonight. 👍
This time next week I will set off from the spot where my son, Martyn Hett, died in the Manchester Arena as I walk nearly 200 miles to
@10DowningStreet
, urging the Prime Minister to stick to his commitment to introduce
#martynslaw
to make public venues safer
The last two days were tough to sit through. Not only was it heartbreaking to hear the other mums and a sister talking about the tremendous grief they feel but I am so sad to hear the heart wrenching stories of so many people who have been scarred forever in many ways.
I see every tweet. Everyone is so lovely. Forgive me for not replying to all. But your comments, hearts, bees etc are all noted. The kindness out there is incredible.♥️💖🐝
Court is tough. Knitting throughout it as a way of dealing with it. This journey is a real test on everything I believe in as a human being. Holding on tightly to my fundamental values of kindness, tolerance & compassion.
#kindness
#compassion
#tolerance
Ok, three out of my four remaining kids are now at the Ariana concert. Feeling excited for them spending this hard time together but am now feeling quite uneasy! She will no doubt be amazing and being about a lot of healing.
Thank you to everyone on Twitter for all the support and kindness. I am unable to answer individually as there are so many of you but I want you all to know that whilst my heart is incredibly heavy today I read every message with sincere gratitude. ♥️🐝🌈🥀
Thinking about all the mothers out there for whom today is not such a great day. Today may be a very painful experience. I want to wrap my love around all of you who struggle today. 🌹🌷🌺🌸
Today the bears and hearts have a special meaning. A year ago today was Martyn’s funeral. With every bear and heart I send a bit of Martyn’s love to all corners of the world. 💗
Martyn's Law: Anti-terrorism security rules for venues to be introduced after
@FigenMurray
tireless campaign to keep us all safe. The news came on Martyn’s birthday. 🐝
Today is the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. I send my love and compassion out to everyone who has been affected by the kind of darkness terrorist's are inflicting on us. We must NEVER allow them to win. Let's unite in love and kindness.
Feeling very honoured and humbled winning the category of Outstandjng Contribution at the Counter Terror Awards 2020. This one is for you, Martyn!! I am determined to get
#martynslaw
onto the legislative map!! Safety should never be compromised.
My least favourite thing when travelling up and down the country is when I have to hang around Victoria station in Manchester about 200m from where Martyn and the others died. Here is the glass bridge he took to murder our loved ones.
Final day of first week of inquiry. Feel like this is going to send us to hell & back. Feels ten times worse than trial. We will be changed people after this, I think. Sad to think they have been killed by someone too stupid to operate a public toilet turnstile. What a mess!
We are almost at the end of the first week listening to the heart wrenching pen portraits of our loved ones at the
#Manchesterarenainquiry
and I cannot believe the loving respectful & dignified support we are all receiving. Feeling carried, protected & looked after. Thank you 💗
Happy Birthday, Martyn. Sadly, I cannot kiss or hug you to wish you a fab birthday but I give you this video as a gift. And I hope
@RishiSunak
really remembers our telephone conversation a year ago today.
@JamesCleverly
@TomTugendhat
@MrBrendanCox
Like my son Daniel I would also like to say that I will NOT be offering any comment or interview regarding the extradition. I am currently in Christchurch New Zealand visiting the families of the mosque attacks. THEY deserve my attention, not him.
As you may anticipate I will not be able to say Thank You to each of you individually, so I say Thank You to everyone for caring about me and my family today. Martyn would have been 34 today. Instead, he will stay forever young in our hearts. Bless you all for your kindness.
It is irrelevant if he is in the dock or not. My emotions today remain totally focussed on all the families and the injured and psychologically affected by the attack. So much pain and suffering deserves more attention right now.
Lee Rigby's family is distressed that his images are used in social media posts in "a divisive way to fuel arguments against the Black Lives Matter protests". His mum said that this is in complete opposition to what Lee stood for. Have some respect for his family! Shame on you!
Thanks to everyone who has supported us as a family during the last 2 months. I did not shed tears at the verdict but know that I am very relieved at the outcome. 2 months of listening to sinister ongoing has been very damaging! Love to all the bereaved & injured.Pls selfcare.
Left court yesterday feeling utterly let down & insulted. Hearing
#martynslaw
consultation still in draft & not signed off yet left me feeling I am an ulcer to the government. Woke up today & realised I could become the govt’s embarrassment if an attack happens & things have not
My 60th birthday started with a heavy heart this morning due to lockdown BUT the messages on FB, Twitter, Instagram, cards, gifts, the doorbell going all day with floral gifts & lots of other stuff made me feel very loved & valued. Totally overwhelmed & grateful to all of you.💖
Thank you to all the people who on the night of the
#Manchesterarenaattack
gave our loved ones their dignity back. Very grateful for this. Must have been hard to do and hope you are all ok.
Merry Christmas to everyone who has supported/believed in me, what I do & stand for. Christmas is not a great time for a lot of people, us included. But it is a time to reflect, take stock, take a breath & re-evaluate what & who we treasure most. Sending much love to all of you.
The prime minister of New Zealand vowed to never use the gunman’s name. What an amazing woman!! I hate it when the arena bomber’s name is uttered! He will in my eyes always just be Martyn’s murderer. These monsters don’t deserve names.
Despite the awful weather conditions today,
@MattJukesMPS
came along to meet me as I arrived in central London to talk about the work
@TerrorismPolice
is doing to keep our communities safe.
#martynslaw
will be a key tool in helping CTP to making people in the UK safer. Thank you!
On the eve of the anniversary of the Manchester arena attack,
@MattJukesMPS
greeted
@FigenMurray
as she arrived in central London on the penultimate day of her walk from Manchester.
Everyone at CTP applauds Figen for her dedication to protecting the public.
Life has changed so much since Martyn died. I hardly used twitter then but now it feels so normal to talk about grief, terrorism, kindness & our human existence. There is so much pain but I always get a sense of hope here & that makes me stay positive & determined.
This week has been hectic - we arrived in Parliament to finalise
@FigenMurray
campaign.
Despite the news agenda being dominated by the general election, infected blood inquiry, post office inquiry, we continue to cut through with
#martynslaw
Agonised about saying this & the timing of it but I feel I have to. Pls
@BorisJohnson
don't say that "lessons have to be learnt". Having lost a loved one in a terror attack I find it offensive/patronising. I gave you Martyn's Law as a "lesson plan" for some of this.
But I have one piece of positive news. I passed my December exam with distinction. Just need to pass the essay I handed in last week and then the dissertation can begin.
Message to anyone watching the arena inquiry from home. Exercise good self care. Sending everyone my love as I know that this is bringing back a lot of trauma.
Just finished attending an 18 month long inquiry and before that a two month murder trial around the arena attack in Manchester where my son was killed. Realised today just how tired I am after all this and your message just made all the difference. Thank you.🌺🌺
Before going off social media until next week I wanted to extend a massive THANK YOU to everyone supporting me on here & anywhere else. I am very public with
#MartynsLaw
but need private time this w/e. I will not respond to any messages but will read them all with much care.
Been absent for a few days as I am digesting Martyn’s very distressing autopsy report. No parent should have to read such a report. It has made me even more determined to push the petition through. Please sign and more importantly share.
JUST SUBMITTED MY DISSERTATION. I had the honour of being a student at
@UCLan
for two years, had the support & guidance of Ian Palmer throughout my final work, was taught by a whole host of amazing tutors & I can't thank them enough. Thank you also to Bob Frost at the library.
Today little Saffie-Rose Roussos would have turned 14. Special thoughts to her family today who will find today very tough. Sadie was an absolute little superstar. 🥀🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Totally must remember this amazing young man. I am ashamed I am sometimes blinded by my own grief but Lee must always be remembered. Sending so much love to his family and friends.
Life has been so hectic over the past few years working frantically on
#MartynsLaw
I am exhausted. Taking a week out to rest & down tools! But I will be back in a few days!
So there is endless amounts of academic reading to do for the Masters. Martyn has bought a small device to take on his travels to America but never made it. I am using it now to do my studies with it. Feels like he is sat on my shoulder.
Thank you for your lovely message. I went to Christchurch three months after the mosque attacks & sat with widows in the room where so many people lost their lives, also senselessly. All this hate just has to stop. Hate is a deadly virus on this planet. I long for peace.
@FigenMurray
I caught a bit of your interview on our 6pm news in Nz last night. So much strength & purpose you have even though you are broken. Kia kaha & Arohanui to you and all those affected by such senseless acts of hate.
#manchester22
#martynslaw
#love
MARTYN'S LAW I was invited to attend a council meeting yesterday in Manchester. The Council Executive endorses the proposed licensing changes in Manchester which will bring Martyn's Law into effect. This is due to go out to public consultation. It's happening ......👍
My lovely cat Misty is very poorly. Been told today she has stage 4 kidney failure that can't be treated. She is groggy as she has been sedated to have a blood test. She has given us 12 years & has been with us through the most traumatic time of our life.
As the day draws to a close thank you again to everyone who wrote very kind messages, liked or retweeted. It is yet again clear to me that bad will never win over good. Today I received a lot of goodness, love and kindness. And so did the rest of my family.🌺🌺🌺🌺
Listening to the
@ManchesterPride
vigil on Zoom. I listen in memory of Martyn and the entire LGBTQ community . Tonight my thoughts are in memory of all the people we lost. Special thoughts go to Lewis who lost one of his best friends this month. Sending love to you all.💖
Thrilled Manchester Council support Martyn's Law and incorporate it in some of their plans. A real tribute to Saffie, Georgina, Elaine,Sorrell, Eilidh,Nell,Olivia,Megan, Philip,Kelly, Alison, Angelica,Marcin,Lisa,Jane, Michelle,John,Chloe, Liam,Courtney,Wendy and Martyn.
The mother of one of the victims of the
#Manchester
terror attack,
@FigenMurray
, is making progress in her fight for increased security at large venues across the country - as
@ManCityCouncil
implement Martyn's Law.
Read more ⤵️
Saturday afternoon doing a headcount of my kids: one at home upstairs, one on motorway to France, one in Skegness visiting grandparents, one at a birthday party and out on the town after, one is always missing!! That horrible "one seems to be missing" is not great! 😏
It was an absolute privilege to talk to your students about what happened and about building stronger communities and acts of kindness. Thank you for inviting me. Young people are our hope for a better future. I firmly believe that!
Figen Murray, mother and peace promoter talking about the death of her son (Martyn Hett) in the Manchester Arena attack. Over 300 students were in attendance to listen to her inspirational story of forgiveness.
#DCC
#FigenMurray
#BeMoreMartyn
#MartynHett