Grenfell survivors embrace firefighters at emotional anniversary march

Crying demonstrators were seen embracing London firefighters during the anniversary march in Grenfell on Sunday evening.

Grenfell survivors and survivors gathered for the last anniversary of the tower block before its total collapse, nine years after the deadly fire.

About 1,500 people, many wearing green clothes, were seen walking silently together.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski also joined the march. As the demonstrators marched, green hearts and balloons could be seen, along with banners saying “so much evidence, still no accusation” and “enough is enough”.

As the march reached Ladbroke Grove, London Fire Brigade personnel lined the road and were seen embracing and shaking hands with them, some with tears in their eyes.

Grenfell United, which represents many of the mourners and survivors, said the march was “in solidarity to remember those we have lost and to demand justice”, noting that it was “the last anniversary of the last time any part of Grenfell Tower remains”.

The statement said: “In the wake of Grenfell, governments stood before the country and promised that lessons would be learned, accountability would follow and no community would ever face such a preventable tragedy again.

“But even after nine years, many promises remain unfulfilled.

“Governments have changed, ministers have come and gone, but the urgency and meaningful action promised to survivors and bereaved families has often failed to materialise.

“Most painful is the continued delay in criminal justice. Nine years is an excruciating time for bereaved families, survivors and residents to wait for accountability.”

“Justice delayed is justice denied, and the slow pace of progress continues to deepen the pain of a community still waiting for answers and action.”

Police and prosecutors announced last month that as many as 20 companies and 57 people could face criminal charges in connection with the fire.

The Metropolitan Police said decisions will be made on whether any charges will be brought before the 10th anniversary next year.

Potential crimes considered include corporate gross negligence, manslaughter, fraud, health and safety violations and misconduct in public office.

Messages from Italian architect Gloria Trevisan’s mother and her boyfriend Marco Gottardi’s father were read at the memorial service held at Notting Hill Methodist Church early Sunday.

Ms Trevisan, 26, was trapped on the top floor of the high-rise building with Mr Gottardi, 27.

“We will never be able to forgive those who, out of greed, dishonesty and personal interests, allowed corruption at the expense of their own lives and those of 70 others,” his mother, Emanuela Disaro, wrote in her message.

He added: “Justice is a long way off and when it happens, it will always be too late.

“It saddens us to know that these people continue to live their lives undisturbed and with impunity.”

In his message read at the ceremony, Mr. Gottardi’s father said: “We would have liked a different story, you returned home having fulfilled your dreams, your love, your family and your job.

“All of this has been hindered by man’s greed. The constant pursuit of more profit, putting many people’s lives at risk.”

He called for prosecutors to “speed up” bringing any perpetrators to justice, adding: “Prosecute them and impose appropriate penalties and we ask the perpetrators to apologize”.

The June 2017 fire was preventable after a public inquiry found governments and the construction industry had failed for decades to guard against the dangers of flammable materials in high-rise buildings.

The inquiry’s final report in 2024 found that victims, bereaved and survivors had been “badly failed” by incompetence, dishonesty and greed, with the tower block covered in flammable products due to “systematic fraud” by firms making and selling cladding and insulation.

Sir Martin Moore-Bick, chairman of the inquiry, condemned the “deliberate and sustained” manipulation of fire safety tests, misrepresentation of test data and misleading the market.

Speaking outside the ceremony on Sunday, Pat, a local resident and volunteer with the Grenfell Memorial Quilt, told the Press Association that “everyone opened their hearts and homes and looked out for each other” in the wake of the tragedy.

“They came with food, they came with clothes and all the necessities because people lost everything,” he said.

“They could never go back there and get the things they loved – their photos, their teddy bears, their passports – they had nothing.

“It was terrible and they will never forget it. It will always be with them, it will never go away.”