Meeting with the Hillsborough Justice Campaign

27 Aug 2012

Share This Article

Tweet

Count down to the 12th Sept 2012

Hillsborough is a subject very close to my heart. Hopefully you’re aware of the implications currently facing the families and individuals, who’ve dedicated the last 23 years, towards bringing justice to those lost at Hillsborough in ’89. I’ve written about it previously here.

A few days ago I visited the Hillsborough Justice Campaign store, opposite Anfield, to meet up with those affected by the disaster. I wanted to hear first hand about their experiences of the day, how they had been treated by the authorities, why had they continued to fight and what the future holds.

Unprepared

I thought I’d prepared myself for the experience, having met with those affected in the past I’d built an understanding around what they were hoping to achieve – yet I was unprepared for the few hours that followed. The guys shared vivid memories, exposing old frustrations and hurt – I have to be honest, some of it was too much for me. “We were carrying dead bodies through the police line, whilst they just stood there and did nothing” one survivor told me.

I filmed my meeting so that I could share it with you, I’m currently getting that edited down. The footage will tell a more in-depth and personal story than I can – I’ll let you know when it’s ready.

It’s shocking to watch and hear it, to see the pain on somebody’s face. I could never forgive myself if I sat here and did nothing, after people acted so courageously that day.

Will 12 September bring any closure?

What these victims have been through is nothing short of hell, the judicial system has failed them yet they’ve continued to fight for what they know is right. Surprisingly, these guys don’t want a big apology, it’s too late for that. They don’t want any heads to roll or have anyone ‘strung up’ for their failings. The end is near, they hope, on 12th September documents disclosing information on what really happened will be released and hopefully this awful saga will finally be put to bed – giving those who lost their lives and their families the closure that they so rightfully deserve.

Through Twitter, I’ve picked up on many naïve people criticising these determined individuals and questioning why they haven’t just given up – let it to rest, after all it’s been over 20 years. The thing is, if someone in your family went to a football match on a Saturday and never came home, would you give up?

It’s about remembrance

These honest people want to forget all wrong-doing, blame and hate, they only want to find out what actually happened and then be able to let the 96 victims rest in peace. They’ve asked me to do one thing and that’s raise awareness – and specifically the fundraising for the monument that’s currently being created in memory of those 96.

 So there it is, that’s all they ask – if you could make any donation these guys will really appreciate your kindness. You can do that here.