Petition to swap Katie Hopkins for refugees gains 50k signatures
A petition to the UK Government to swap Katie Hopkins for 50,000 refugees, has received as many signatures in two days.
The petition – launched on Change.org last week – lists a number of reasons why the government and British population should consider ridding the country of Hopkins.
“The UK, however, has currently not got the space for refugees,” writes Ben Fletcher, who started the petition.
“This is not because we are full – it is because Kate Hopkins massive head takes it all up.”
“So I propose we swap Hopkins and send her to Syria, a country where I am sure she would be welcome, and instead take in 50,000 refugees,” he says – before explaining the reasons behind his idea.
“The facts are, they deserve a lot more than she does, and it would be a win win all round, we help people and save their lives and at the same time get rid of the UK’s contribution to the hall of national embarrassments.”
At time of publishing, the petition had reached 51,399 supporters.
After the petition gained 10k signatures in its first day, organiser Ben Fletcher wrote a message that he wanted to draw attention to the refugee crisis.
He wrote: “I was honestly not expecting this to get much more than 100 or so signatures. I am glad that people are sharing this and it is getting more people talking about the need to do more for refugees, that was always the aim, it was never meant in bad taste.
“I am also glad that it is being used as an outlet to give your true feeling about Hopkins, some of the reasons for signing are truly brilliant. There is however a serious point behind this petition and that is that there are thousands and thousands of people who need our help, I am going to update this with the information of a few charities that are working to help refugees and save lives, if you can help and donate then please do so.”
Hopkins also saw the funny side – and took aim at online petitions in general tweeting a sarcastic message, which read: “Petitions are great.1 click & you’re like, literally, clicking your mouse. Once. That’s empowerment Right there! Boom”
The petition comes in the wake of increased refugee numbers fleeing Syria and other countries – many of whom are members of the LGBT community – where they are at risk of murder, torture and destitution.
But while many people throughout Europe have opened up their homes to the refugees, motormouth Ms Hopkins has previously shared her disdain for those desperately seeking safety.
Following the horrifying images of three year-old Syrian refugee Aylan Al-Kurdi lying dead on a Turkish beach, there have been fresh calls for venomous Ms Hopkins to apologise for her controversial article “Rescue boats? I’d use gun ships on migrants”.
Twitter users have slammed the “hated-filled” star for failing to retract her previous comments made in April.
“Show me pictures of coffins, show me bodies floating in water, play violins and show me skinny people looking sad,” she wrote.
“I still don’t care”.
Hopkins has previously claimed that gay and lesbian couples shouldn’t be allowed fertility treatment on on the NHS – and described diversity officers as “lunatics”.
Earlier this year she rejected claims that she “gatecrashed” the ‘British LGBT Awards‘ – sharing her VIP invitation after organisers claimed that she wasn’t invited.
Hopkins also previously claimed Tom Daley’s coming out was “lame”, saying: “It was really lame… we all knew he was gay.”
