Hillsborough: Families and friends mark anniversary

A MEMORIAL ceremony was held yesterday on the eve of the 24th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said the event was extra special as it was the first since the families of victims fought and won justice in their campaign to clear blame for the disaster from the dead.

Today marks the 24th anniversary of the tragedy on April 15, 1989 – one of Britain’s worst sporting disasters.

Around 300 people, including the families of victims and civic and faith leaders, gathered at Liverpool town hall where a permanent memorial was established.

Mayor Anderson said: “Twenty-four years, the passage of time has still not dulled the pain and suffering for those of you gathered here today.”

The mayor said the 96 victims were “robbed of their dignity by the people in authority” who indulged in “lies and deceit”.

But the families who fought the official version of events “exemplified” the fighting spirit of the city of Liverpool.