Cambridge falls silent in memory of Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones
A large crowd fell silent outside the Guildhall in Cambridge at 11am today (Monday), in memory of Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones.
Led by the city’s mayor, Cllr Gerri Bird, the minute’s silence paid tribute to the two young University of Cambridge graduates, who just wanted to make the world a better place.
Jack, 25, and Saskia, 23, were killed by convicted terrorist Usman Khan, 28, in the London Bridge terror attack on Friday (November 29).
They had been attending the Learning Together conference run by the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology at Fishmongers’ Hall.
Khan, who was out of prison on licence, was attending as a guest of the conference which, in a cruel irony, was discussing prison rehabilitation.
Jack, from Cottenham, attended Cottenham Village College and Hills Road Sixth Form, before reading law at Manchester Univeristy and completing an MPhil in criminology at the University of Cambridge. He was the course co-ordinator for Learning Together, a prison education initiative that brings students and prisoners together to learn.
Saskia, from Statford-upon-Avon, completed her MPhil in criminology in 2018 and remained in touch with the Learning Together community.
Cllr Bird, who spoke to Jack’s family and girlfriend Leanne O’Brien, said: “This is a tragic event and it is heart breaking to see young lives cut short by senseless violence.
“My thoughts are with all affected by the incident and the families who have lost loved ones. As a community we must stand together against hatred and remember we are stronger together.”
One minute silence outside the Guildhall in Cambridge in honour of the victims of London bridge attack. Picture: Keith Heppell. (23165882)
There was also a vigil in London, at which mayor Sadiq Khan paid tribute to those who lost their lives and praised the members of the public and emergency services to their response.
He said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones and all those injured.”
Khan, who was tackled by members of the public, was shot dead by officers on London Bridge. Three other people were injured in the attack, including one from Cambridge, who has not been named.
The attack happened just before 2pm on Friday.
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