UMVA has learned that family members and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have gathered to mark the ninth anniversary of the tragic event, which claimed the lives of 72 people in 2017.
The gathering comes as police have announced that up to 20 companies and 57 individuals could face criminal charges over the blaze, a development that has brought a mix of emotions to those affected. Decisions on whether to bring charges will be made before next year's 10th anniversary.
Potential offences under consideration include corporate gross negligence manslaughter, fraud, health and safety breaches, and misconduct in public office. For Grenfell survivor Edward Daffarn, the update is encouraging, but the wait for justice is "torturous," and he emphasized that "justice delayed is justice denied."
A church service will take place on Sunday afternoon, followed by the annual silent walk in west London in the evening. During the walk, the names of the 72 dead will be read, and speeches will be delivered by campaigners.
A small memorial below the tower will be replaced with a more permanent one. The blaze in June 2017 was found to have been avoidable, preceded by "decades of failure" by governments and the building industry to act on the dangers of flammable materials on high-rise buildings.
The inquiry's final report found that victims, the bereaved, and survivors were "badly failed" through incompetence, dishonesty, and greed. The tower block was covered in combustible products due to the "systematic dishonesty" of firms that made and sold the cladding and insulation.
Inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick condemned the "deliberate and sustained" manipulation of fire safety testing, misrepresentation of test data, and misleading of the market. He expressed encouragement about the potential for criminal prosecutions, calling it "absolutely essential."
Survivors and the bereaved are marking the last anniversary with any part of Grenfell Tower remaining. Grenfell United, which represents many of the bereaved and survivors, has asked people to join Sunday's walk "in solidarity to remember those we lost, and demand justice."
The process of bringing the tower down began in September last year and is expected to take around two years to complete. The government announced the demolition decision last year, which was met with criticism from some bereaved and survivors who felt their views had not been considered.
The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission has been consulting on plans for a permanent memorial in the area of the tower. An MHCLG spokesperson said that as the ninth anniversary approaches, their thoughts are with the bereaved, survivors, and all those affected, and they are committed to ensuring that what happened at the tower is not forgotten.
