Hillsborough anniversary scaled back
5 April 2019, 05:39 | Updated: 5 April 2019, 05:44
Following the hung jury verdict in the trial of Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield, the difficult decision has been made to cancel the planned commemoration event which would mark the 30th anniversary of the disaster.
Liverpool's Mayor, Joe Anderson, said:
“In light of yesterday’s hung jury verdict in the trial of Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield, I have made the difficult decision to cancel the outdoor commemoration event we were planning to mark the 30th anniversary of the disaster.
“The risk of the event inadvertently influencing any future decisions which are made regarding ongoing legal proceedings is a risk which I do not want the city to take.
“Despite this being such an important milestone in the history of Liverpool, we understand how sensitive the current environment is surrounding the case. As such would urge everyone to exercise caution and refrain from making any comments that could jeopardise future proceedings and refrain from making comments on social media.
“The city will create a temporary memorial at the front of St George’s Hall for any members of the public who wish to pay their respects. The memorial will be in place from Sunday 14 to Thursday 18 April.
“The public memorial service at the Anglican Cathedral will take place as planned on the 15 April at 14.45.”
On Monday 15 April, Liverpool will mark the anniversary by falling silent for a minute at 3.06pm – the exact time the fateful match was stopped. Flags on civic buildings (Cunard Building, Town Hall, St George’s Hall and Central Library) will be flown at half-mast and bells at the Town Hall will toll 96 times.
The Lime Street media wall, opposite Lime Street Station, and the M62 digital screens will display the words ‘Never Forgotten’ in a visual tribute to the 96.
