‘Solidarity’ by Darren Grady

Getting ready for work.
I’m late.
Just another Wednesday.
Radio on, people saying “a fire that spread quickly”.
Must be overseas, probably a youth hostel.
Because in this country, we have safety regulations…

Later, the magnitude became clear walking across the Millennium Bridge…
A thick trail of smoke heavy on London’s skyline.

I was not directly impacted by Grenfell.
I’m not from the borough, or even London.
Born on Merseyside, Liverpool fan of over 45 years, we had our own tragedy, went through our own campaign for justice.
This article is not a vehicle for the Hillsborough campaign.
I just wanted to write something.
Display Solidarity.
I support, respect and identify with your campaign.
I get Justice for Grenfell.
Justice from the injustice.

Like Hillsborough, the victims are honoured and forever remembered yet sadly the parallels between these two tragic events are akin and both were avoidable.
History played a cruel trick of repeating herself.

I started working for a North Kensington Charity back in September.
One evening, walking back to the tube, I saw Grenfell.
I get Justice for Grenfell.
Justice from the injustice.

Justified anger runs just below the surface in this community, yet all I have witnessed has been compassion and solidarity.
The Authorities are suspiciously wise in hindsight but the foreboding outcome was not a premonition but a stark fact.
A fact repeatedly voiced, a fact repeatedly ignored and yet politicians continue to stress “this must never happen again” and “lessons learnt”.
However, it cannot be used to detract from those accountable being brought to justice for their basic failings in a duty of care.
Saving money but not saving lives.

You will face challenges, you will face setbacks but there are so many alongside you on this shared journey.

I get Justice for Grenfell.
Justice from the injustice.

By Darren Grady
“Darren lives in Essex and has worked in London for the past 25 years.
Born on Merseyside he left the UK aged 21 to travel and work all over the Caribbean.
He returned to the UK and held a number of roles in an “eclectic work history” and until July 2017, worked in the technology sector for a city based company when he quit his career to “give something back” and work in the NFP sector.
Grenfell effected Darren because of the unfortunate similarities in it, to that of the Hillsborough disaster.
Notably, at both tragedies, the authorities were noticeably absent, it was left to the fans and the local community to intervene and help.”