Grenfell Tower six years on: ‘Frustration over lack of change is popping to anger’

Jun 14, 2023 at 8:08 PM
Grenfell Tower six years on: ‘Frustration over lack of change is popping to anger’

A former Grenfell Tower resident has mentioned the neighborhood’s frustration is popping to anger with the shortage of change prompted by the hearth which killed 72 individuals six years in the past.

Exactly 72 months in the past – one month for every dwell misplaced – the west London tower block turned a scene of devastation as plumes of smoke rose into the capital’s sky and photos had been beamed on news channels around the globe.

Edward Daffarn mentioned what ought to have been a “catalyst for societal change” on 14 June, 2017 has as an alternative been reacted to with “incompetence and indifference and inaction”.

Mr Daffarn lived on the sixteenth flooring and had lengthy campaigned on questions of safety on the tower, predicting the hearth in a weblog submit seven months earlier than it occurred.

In an interview with the PA news company, he mentioned that six years later “the kind of frustration that we felt at the lack of change since Grenfell is beginning to really kind of manifest and ferment into kind of anger”.

He mentioned: “Not only can I speak for myself individually, but I think I can speak on behalf of Grenfell United, of which I’m a committee member.

“In the times after the hearth as I used to be standing beneath the wreck of Grenfell I used to be fairly satisfied that Grenfell would turn out to be the catalyst for societal change, that issues wouldn’t be the identical as they had been earlier than Grenfell, because of Grenfell.”

He branded the lack of criminal justice in relation to the fire not only unsatisfactory but also “abusive”.

He said: “To date, there hasn’t been a single arrest. Not a single clink of handcuffs for any of the perpetrators of the hearth. And I do know it is a cliche however, you understand, justice delayed is justice denied. And we won’t go on for for much longer with out individuals being held to account. And it feels very abusive, it feels very unsatisfactory.”

‘We must never forget’

Former prime minister Theresa May tweeted to mark the anniversary: “Today marks six years because the devastating hearth at Grenfell Tower.

“We must never forget all those who lost their lives, or allow the circumstances that led to their deaths to happen ever again.

“My ideas and prayers are with all their households and family members.”

On Wednesday evening the annual silent walk will take place in memory of those who died, with people encouraged to wear green to show they “stand united within the battle for justice”.

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A movie that includes native artists, volunteers and supporters of the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission has also been created to mark the anniversary and the community projects which have brought people together since the tragedy.

Representatives said: “We are right here to create a memorial that our neighborhood has been on the forefront of, to recollect and to honour the family members who can not be with us.

“Our film recognises some of the community members behind some of the incredibly special projects that, since 14 June 2017, have been helping to bring people together to recover through creation.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities mentioned: “Our thoughts are with the bereaved families, survivors and residents as they remember those who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower tragedy.”

A debate will happen within the House of Commons within the coming weeks which is predicted to incorporate an replace on the motion authorities is taking within the areas of social housing, constructing security and wider reform.