16 years on..........

[Snorky]

16 years on and finally an apology of sorts from The Sun. Is this the turning point in the campaign for justice? Probably not.

The Sunu2019s reaction to the rejection of their apology used crowds to distance people from the supporters who did not accept it. They tried to separate individuals from the collective outrage at Hillsborough u2013 separating them further by offering the apology to individuals and families yet blaming a crowd mentality for the apology not being accepted. People usually donu2019t like to be seen as part of a crowd for it removes their identity. Yet in using this tactic the Sun has failed to see that in many cases being part of a crowd, especially at football, actually gives people a sense of identity, and in this case one to be treasured, to be proud of and be promoted. It is the willingness of individuals to be identified as part of the crowd in order to give collective power to their voices that keeps the HJC strong and the boycott of The Sun strong also.

This is not the homogenous group of unidentified fans that was viewed as a scourge upon society by many people for so long. It is a group of individuals that know that what happened that fateful day could have happened to anyone. A series of decisions over many years led to the peculiar circumstances whereby the only outcome was the death of people in the pens at Hillsborough. Fans were treated as a force to be controlled, manipulated and herded. They were not treated as individuals and little consideration to their safety was given. What happened that day was almost inevitable and can never be undone. What happened after the initial disaster was a series of decisions by individuals in positions of power that prevented people getting treatment that may have saved their lives. It prevented the truth being known. It immediately put the victims and survivors of the disaster into a group upon which blame and scorn was heaped, thereby preventing any fair hearing or enquiry to be held.

However there are factors related to that day that have still not seen the light of day due to the actions of the individuals concerned. Police enquiries were tainted with the smell of a cover up. Politicians, including ones that now covet our votes, had the opportunity to ensure fair and full hearings could be held u2013 yet refused to do so. Enquiries into the police actions that day were conducted mainly in secret and with the sole purpose of ensuring that no member of the police would be held accountable. Even years after the event the police were still holding up the release of evidence and reports from their labs in case they held evidence that could be used against the authorities. Members of the police were prosecuted, however it took a private prosecution to get them into a court room and many pre trial rulings were passed down u2013 including the one that IF the 2 men in charge were found guilty of manslaughter then they would not be sent to jail.u201D

Details of the show trial can be found here

The cut-off time of death of the people at Hillsborough was used by the authorities as one that ensured that the actions in and around the stadium after 3.15pm on 15th April 1989 would never be exposed to the light of day.

The Sun wants us to accept their apology, which is totally understandable u2013 after all we are hitting them where it hurts u2013 in the pocket. If they ever want an apology to be accepted then the first step is to make one, properly. Not a half-hearted attempt to win back some customers.

16 years on and people still have not forgotten. 16 years on and people are still campaigning. If anyone thinks this is going away then they are sorely mistaken.

If you wish to help in the campaign for Justice, or just learn more about what really happened that day then go to this website HJC

It is also a great resource for anyone who was affected by that day and hasnu2019t talked about it u2013 there are people who can and will help u2013 or just talk to you.

This is a day to remember the 96 u2013 it is their day. 96 individuals who lost their lives just going to a football match. 96 individuals who still have not had their deaths fully examined in a court of law. Letu2019s remember them today u2013 and continue the campaign for justice.

John Alfred Anderson (62) Colin Mark Ashcroft (19) James Gary Aspinall (18)
Kester Roger Marcus Ball (16) Gerard Bernard Patrick Baron (67) Simon Bell (17)
Barry Sidney Bennett (26) David John Benson (22) David William Birtle (22)
Tony Bland (22) Paul David Brady (21) Andrew Mark Brookes (26)
Carl Brown (18) David Steven Brown (25) Henry Thomas Burke (47)
Peter Andrew Burkett (24) Paul William Carlile (19) Raymond Thomas Chapman (50)
Gary Christopher Church (19) Joseph Clark (29) Paul Clark (18)
Gary Collins (22) Stephen Paul Copoc (20) Tracey Elizabeth Cox (23)
James Philip Delaney (19) Christopher Barry Devonside (18) Christopher Edwards (29)
Vincent Michael Fitzsimmons (34) Thomas Steven Fox (21) Jon-Paul Gilhooley (10)
Barry Glover (27) Ian Thomas Glover (20) Derrick George Godwin (24)
Roy Harry Hamilton (34) Philip Hammond (14) Eric Hankin (33)
Gary Harrison (27) Stephen Francis Harrison (31) Peter Andrew Harrison (15)
David Hawley (39) James Robert Hennessy (29) Paul Anthony Hewitson (26)
Carl Darren Hewitt (17) Nicholas Michael Hewitt (16) Sarah Louise Hicks (19)
Victoria Jane Hicks (15) Gordon Rodney Horn (20) Arthur Horrocks (41)
Thomas Howard (39) Thomas Anthony Howard (14) Eric George Hughes (42)
Alan Johnston (29) Christine Anne Jones (27) Gary Philip Jones (18)
Richard Jones (25) Nicholas Peter Joynes (27) Anthony Peter Kelly (29)
Michael David Kelly (38) Carl David Lewis (18) David William Mather (19)
Brian Christopher Mathews (38) Francis Joseph McAllister (27) John McBrien (18)
Marion Hazel McCabe (21) Joseph Daniel McCarthy (21) Peter McDonnell (21)
Alan McGlone (28) Keith McGrath (17) Paul Brian Murray (14)
Lee Nicol (14) Stephen Francis O'Neill (17) Jonathon Owens (18)
William Roy Pemberton (23) Carl William Rimmer (21) David George Rimmer (38)
Graham John Roberts (24) Steven Joseph Robinson (17) Henry Charles Rogers (17)
Colin Andrew Hugh William Sefton (23) Inger Shah (38) Paula Ann Smith (26)
Adam Edward Spearritt (14) Philip John Steele (15) David Leonard Thomas (23)
Patrik John Thompson (35) Peter Reuben Thompson (30) Stuart Paul William Thompson (17)
Peter Francis Tootle (21) Christopher James Traynor (26) Martin Kevin Traynor (16)
Kevin Tyrrell (15) Colin Wafer (19) Ian David Whelan (19)
Martin Kenneth Wild (29) Kevin Daniel Williams (15) Graham John Wright (17)


Margaret Thatcher was quick to condemn people and the fans that day were another target of hers. On hearing of the death of 2 soldiers at an IRA funeral in 1988 she asked the question "Are there any depths to which these people will not go?"

Given the actions of the authorities, the coroner, the police and the politicians since 3.06pm on 15th April, 1989 the same question should be asked of them and of all the individuals who have the power to make a difference by simply stepping forward and telling the truth.

To those who refuse to help, who refuse to listen, who are trying to bury this whole Hillsborough issue under the carpet and hoping it goes away. To those who helped bury the truth in the so-called investigations u2013 or just refused to reopen the issue when they had power to do so then the question asked by the person who had so much contempt for the City of Liverpool and football fans now needs to be asked of them.

"Are there any depths to which these people will not go?"

To The Sun:

"One owes respect to the living; but to the dead one owes nothing but the truth"
Voltaire.

On April 15th '89
What should have been a joyous time
Ninety six Friends, we all shall miss
And all the Kopites want justice (JUSTICE!)

Youu2019ll Never Walk Alone.

[Domingo]

I'll never forget that day in my whole life!!!

You'll never walk alone!!!

[örjan berg]

eine vo de schwärzischte däg in de gschicht vom fuessball.

This is a day to remember the 96 u2013 it is their day. 96 individuals who lost their lives just going to a football match. 96 individuals who still have not had their deaths fully examined in a court of law. Letu2019s remember them today u2013 and continue the campaign for justice.

[STEVIE GERRARD]

RIP 96

YNWA

[Shanks]

R.I.P, Y.N.W.A.

@Snorky: It's true that Liverpools young reserve keeper Paul Harrison is the son of one of the victims? How fantastic that would be if he could make the grade and start for Liverpool once! He's just returned from a loan spell at Leeds, have you ever seen him playing for the Reserves? How good is he? Do you regularly go to see the Reserves?

[Snorky]

R.I.P, Y.N.W.A.

@Snorky: It's true that Liverpools young reserve keeper Paul Harrison is the son of one of the victims? How fantastic that would be if he could make the grade and start for Liverpool once! He's just returned from a loan spell at Leeds, have you ever seen him playing for the Reserves? How good is he? Do you regularly go to see the Reserves?

Yes, he was a baby when his father died. Paul was due to be released at the end of last season but the club had a change of heart. In my heart of hearts I do not think he will make the grade at Anfield.

[B@$u20ACL]

wtf?????????????

[Platini]

wtf?????????????

wohl nicht so fussballinteressiert, was ?

Das Unglück ereignte sich im Rahmen des FA-Cup Halbfinal-Spiel zwischen Liverpool und Nottingham Forest, das im Hillsborough-Stadion von Sheffield ausgetragen wurde. Nach Tumulten vor dem Stadion trieb die berittene Polizei eine Gruppe Liverpooler Fans in Richtung Stadiontore. Tausende drängten nun auf die überfüllte Tribüne. Im Stadion wurden dadurch 96 Zuschauer, darunter viele Kinder und Jugendliche, an den Absperrgittern zerquetscht.