Fire Brigade Union members at march for Grenfell Tower victims 15th June 2019. Photo: Orlando Hill Fire Brigade Union members at march for Grenfell Tower victims 15th June 2019. Photo: Orlando Hill

The second demonstration in two days about the horrific disaster at Grenfell Tower shows that the anger and solidarity are still strong, reports Orlando Hill

Although the demo in front of Downing Street on Saturday was not as big as the ten-thousand-plus march on Friday, the hundreds that marched through the streets of Westminster were just as determined in their demand for justice for Grenfell.

Branches of the Fire Brigade Union from across the country were represented at the march. Their arrival was greeted with cheers and applause. Unite, Unison and RMT were also present with their banners in a demonstration of solidarity.

The speakers at the rally were mainly from the community. Moyra Samuels reminded the public that after two years very little progress was made.

“It is time to call out that government to say that it is time to give the bereaved survivors and the Grenfell community justice. We will not continue to wait.”

The next speaker spoke about the racism involved. According to him the community of Grenfell was looked down upon because they were BME and migrants.

Jeremy Corbyn sent a message, which was read out, lamenting that he could not be present. In the message he demanded that the owners of the 164 private tower blocks that are still clad with the same inflammable material that caused the fire in Grenfell should be named and shamed. They should be fined. After two years, Grenfell Tower remains as a monstrous monument to a failed housing system. The powerful must listen to the voices of the working class.

The march went past Parliament Square towards the Home Office, where the Housing Department is based, and then back to Downing Street. During the march demands for a general election and “Tories out!” were chanted.

 

Orlando Hill

Orlando was born in Brazil and was involved in the successful struggle for democracy in the late 1970s and 80s in that country. He teaches A level Economics. He is a member of the NEU, Counterfire and Stop the War.