YouTube star Alfie Deyes apologises for selfie sitting on AIDS memorial
YouTube star Alfie Deyes has apologised for taking a selfie while sitting on an AIDS memorial during Brighton Pride.
The mega-wealthy YouTuber, who has millions of followers and is in a relationship with fellow YouTube star Zoella, incited anger with the picture on social media.
The now-deleted picture showed Deyes sitting on Brighton’s AIDS memorial sculpture while waving a rainbow flag during the city’s Pride parade.
In response to criticism he hit out at people who “always think the worst.”
The multi-millionaire tweeted: “Just seen a tweet saying that in the picture I tweeted of myself celebrating Brighton Pride, I was sitting on the edge of an Aids Memorial.
“For sure didn’t realise that and didn’t mean to offend anyone if the picture did. I’ve deleted it! Thanks for letting me know x”
The internet star added: “I’ll never understand why people always think the worst. The replies I’m getting about sitting on the memorial..I didn’t even know it was a memorial and yet people are tweeting saying I don’t care about aids..
“Spend your time educating others, rather than just instantly attacking”.
He hit back: “I could do literally anything and it will offend someone. e.g I didn’t know I was sitting on the memorial, but instead of people educating me, people attack me instantly as if I did it on purpose.”
The installation is one of the few permanent memorials to the AIDS crisis in the UK.
The bronze sculpture in Brighton’s New Steine Gardens was unveiled in 2009.
A description explains: “It depicts two intertwined figures, one male figure and one genderless figure that soar up towards the sky.
“The sculpture forms a shadow in the shape of the red ribbon which is the international symbol for HIV/AIDS awareness.”
It was designed by artist Romany Mark Bruce, who said at the time: “I hope this will become a focal point for reflection and remembrance. For the first time the people of Brighton & Hove will have space in the city where they can quietly show support for those living with HIV/AIDS.
“I hope the sculpture will help raise awareness and mobilise community involvement in the fight against it.”
London Assembly members recently backed calls for a National AIDS memorial to be created in London, to mark the city’s legacy during the AIDS crisis.
