Emotional scenes unfolded at the Grenfell Tower anniversary march on Sunday as tearful demonstrators embraced London firefighters. The event marked nine years since the fatal fire, with around 1,500 people, many dressed in green, walking in silence through west London.
Justice Demands at the Heart of the March
Carrying signs reading “this much evidence, still no charges” and “enough is enough”, the crowd also displayed green hearts and balloons. The march was the final anniversary before the tower block is completely demolished.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski was among the attendees. As the march reached Ladbroke Grove, personnel from London Fire Brigade lined the road, and people, some with tears in their eyes, hugged and shook hands with them.
Community Voices
Grenfell United, representing many bereaved and survivors, stated: “This walk is in solidarity to remember those we lost, and demand justice. It is the last anniversary with any part of Grenfell Tower remaining.” The group highlighted unfulfilled promises from governments and the painful delay to criminal justice.
Polanski said: “Seventy-two lives lost. Nine years later and there’s been zero justice. Every time I walk with the community I feel the same sense of anger at the lack of justice. And admiration at a community with so much resilience who will not stop until they see justice done.”
Potential Charges Ahead
Police and prosecutors announced last month that up to 20 companies and 57 individuals could face criminal charges over the blaze. Decisions on charges are expected before next year’s 10th anniversary, with potential offences including corporate gross negligence manslaughter, fraud, health and safety breaches, and misconduct in public office.
Memorial Service Readings
During a memorial service at Notting Hill Methodist Church earlier on Sunday, messages from the parents of victims Gloria Trevisan and Marco Gottardi were read. Trevisan’s mother wrote: “We will never be able to forgive those who through greed, dishonesty and personal interest allowed themselves to be corrupted.” Gottardi’s father called for prosecutors to “speed up” bringing perpetrators to justice.
Decades of Failure
The blaze in June 2017 was found by a public inquiry to have been avoidable, preceded by “decades of failure” by governments and the building industry. The final report in 2024 condemned the “deliberate and sustained” manipulation of fire safety testing and misrepresentation of data.
Pat, a local resident and volunteer for the Grenfell Memorial Quilt, told the Press Association: “Everyone opened their hearts and their homes and looked after each other. They came with food, they came with clothes and all of the necessities – because people lost everything.”
