Anniversary events commemorating eight years since the Grenfell tower fire tragedy took place across the weekend, as the government moves ahead with plans to demolish the tower.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s offices flew the Grenfell Flag, while campaign group Grenfell United’s Silent Walk returned on the Saturday, alongside memorial services and multi-faith prayers.
As the Metropolitan Police continue to investigate the fire which claimed the lives of 72 residents in North Kensington in June 2017, the government is preparing plans to begin taking down the tower this Autumn.
Grenfell United vice-chairman Karim Mussilhy said: “Eight years have passed, eight years since the fire, lit by negligence, greed and institutional failure, tore through our homes, our families and our hearts”
For survivors and bereaved families affected by the fire, the tower’s future is at the heart of their ongoing battle for justice.
A six-year public inquiry released last year highlighted a chain of failures across government and the private sector, including repeated warnings of the building ‘s cladding fire risk being ignored as well as “systematic dishonesty” from those who made and sold it.
But with no arrests so far, many want the tower to remain up until there are criminal prosecutions.
Mussily said: “As we stand here eight years on, the only decision this Government has made is to tear down the tower – our home.
“Not because justice has been delivered, but despite the fact it hasn’t, before a single person has been held accountable, to make what happened disappear.”
Seventy-two beams of green light were projected onto the tower to commemorate each of the lives lost in the tragedy.
The government plans to confirm the contractor for the two-year demolition later this month, with work expected to start as early as September.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the bereaved families, survivors and residents in the immediate community.
“This government remains committed to supporting them for the long-term and making sure a tragedy like this never happens again.
“We recognise that Grenfell Tower has a deep personal significance to those most affected by the tragedy and we are continuing to share information about the Tower, and listen to bereaved families, survivors and residents in the immediate community.”
Picture credit: Free to use from Unsplash
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