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Hillsborough families seek justice for 96
Thousands of people gathered in Liverpool city centre for a vigil in memory of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster.
By Mike Hornby and Paul Keaveny
Earlier, the city observed a two-minute silence at 3.06pm — the time the FA Cup semi-final was abandoned — as bells at civic buildings rang out 96 times. The silence was also observed at Liverpool Cathedral as a press conference was being given by the families.
Speaking before the vigil at St George’s Hall, the city’s executive mayor, Joe Anderson, said: “This is a momentous day that the families and the city have waited 23 years for.
“It is to the credit of families that they have never given up on their quest to find out what happened on that dreadful day.
“Now that we finally have the truth of what happened in 1989, we must make sure the families get the justice they deserve... those who played a role in the cover-up should be brought to account for their deceit and corruption.
“We will never forget the impact the Hillsborough disaster had on the bereaved families, on the lives of those who were caught up in the disaster and the long journey the entire city has had to endure for the truth to be heard.”
Flags at council properties were flown at half mast throughout the day.
There was applause and cheers as the families passed before the crowds, led by Margaret Aspinall of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, who gave a thumbs up and waved.
Liverpool FC was represented by Kenny Dalglish, the manager at the time of the disaster, current player Jamie Carragher and members of the youth academy, who carried lanterns in memory of the dead.
A giant screen next to the hall displayed the names of all the victims.
Brendan Rodgers, the current Liverpool manager, stood with families’ groups and civic leaders.
Ms Aspinall told the crowd: “Today has been a very emotional day for all the families and everybody was there.
“To learn that 40-odd of our loved ones could have been saved was horrendous, that’s why the fight will still go on for them.”
She told fans that they had nothing to be ashamed of and said she hoped yesterday would bring them peace.
Hope for Hillsborough’s Anne Williams, whose son Kevin was killed, said she would now be applying to the UK’s attorney general for a new inquest for her son.
“All the evidence is there... I will never give up,” she said to cheers from the crowd.
At the end of the vigil Mr Dalglish, Mr Carragher, former Everton player Graeme Sharp, and Ian Ayres, the chief executive at Anfield, read out the names of the 96 before the crowd sang You’ll Never Walk Alone.
* Read more:
Exposure of cover-up finally gives justice to the 96