I’m so proud Damilola’s pal John Boyega is inspiring the next generation

TRAGIC LAD’S DAD BACKS

THE father of tragic Damilola Taylor has hailed his pal John Boyega as a hero for speaking out on the blight of racism.

The Star Wars actor was one of the last people to see the aspiring doctor before he was stabbed to death with a broken bottle in 2000, aged 10.

And Boyega this week made headlines as he addressed a Black Lives Matter protest in the wake of George Floyd’s death in the US, urging change.

The 28-year-old told crowds in London’s Hyde Park: “I’m speaking from my heart.

Look, I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this but f*** that.”

Damilola’s dad Richard Taylor said yesterday: “Damilola would be proud of his friend –

John is a hero.

“I hope young people can be inspired by the wonderful role model

John has turned out to be. You can only imagine my pride that Damilola’s school friend has become a Hollywood icon.

“I’m friends with his family and they are very lucky to have a son like this. I think Damilola would have been a hero at the moment as well, as he was dreaming to be a doctor.”

Damilola’s death in Peckham, South East London, sparked outrage. Brothers Danny and Ricky Preddie, 12 and 13 at the time, were convicted of his manslaughter in 2006. Damilola had left a computer class at his local library and was going home when they attacked.

He was found bleeding to death in a stairwell – having left a 30-metre trail of blood as he tried to crawl to safety.

Inequality

Damilola was seen on CCTV getting in a lift with two pals, who were not identified at the time. It later emerged it was Boyega, eight at the time, and his sister, who was then 10. And as Boyega bravely speaks out on the inequality exposed in the US, his words resonate with Richard, 64.

He said his eldest son was recently stopped and searched in a case of “racial profiling”. Richard said:

“Tunde was pulled over by the police. The officers told him they could smell weed but my boy has never touched drugs. He was told he could go after they did a check and found he was innocent.

“Like all young black men being stereotyped simply due the colour of his skin, this leaves him distressed and hurting. Such trauma is, sadly, a way of life for the black community.

“Because of knife crime and gang turf wars over drugs, we must accept the role police play as protectors. But there must be fairness and accountability.”

The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 sparked protests across the globe – with US president Donald Trump being slated over his response.

Cop Derek Chauvin, 44, has been sacked and charged with second-degree murder. Three other officers, also fired, have been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.