- Jason Arday has died amid a plagiarism row.
- A fundraiser for his family has reached £130,000.
- A vigil will be held on the steps of Trafalgar Square at 6pm on Monday.
A vigil for former Cambridge professor Jason Arday is set for Monday at 6pm in Trafalgar Square, London, organized by a group of supporters. The event comes as a GoFundMe campaign initiated by Sir Patrick Vernon has raised £130,000 to support Arday's family.123
Sir Patrick emphasized the public's desire to help, stating, “People want to support the family because he’s dead, he’s died, and he has a young family.” He highlighted the emotional response from the community, saying, “Britain still cares – people, black, white, brown, care and feel angry about the situation.”
The vigil aims to honor Arday's legacy while addressing the scrutiny he faced from the press. Sir Patrick noted, “Numerous people told the journalists that he was vulnerable… Someone with autism, a neurodiverse background – that was completely ignored, and he was hounded, sadly, to his death.” He criticized the ongoing negative portrayal of Arday, stating, “It’s outrageous.”
In light of Arday's passing, the University of Cambridge has paused its investigation into his appointment and tenure, recognizing the family's need for privacy during their time of grief. Sir Patrick raised concerns about the implications of Arday's treatment on press regulation and race relations in Britain today.
“The vigil, organized by a group, will take place on the steps of Trafalgar Square at 6pm. The fundraiser's £130,000 total underscores public support following Arday's death amid a plagiarism row.”
The Independent
