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Grenfell Tower fire: protesters march as anger mounts over disaster response – live Grenfell Tower fire: protesters march as anger mounts over disaster response – live
(35 minutes later)
8.51pm BST
20:51
Damien Gayle
After a fiery demonstration outside Kensington and Chelsea town hall, and a march through the borough, the protest, which has now reached Lancaster Road and gathered in the shadow of the Grenfell Tower, appears to be winding down.
After arriving at the police cordon by the Notting Hill Methodist church, demonstrators observed a minute’s silence for the victims of the tragedy, before splitting into two groups listening to speakers through different PA systems. There is apparently a smaller gathering also on nearby Latimer Road.
#GrenfellTower protesters observe a period of silence for victims of the tragedy. #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/qgOwFP89MO
Kusai Rahal said the government needed to be held accountable for the deaths in Wednesday’s inferno.
“What happened over there was murder,” he said. “It was not a mistake, it was simple murder. It’s the government’s fault for seven years of austerity, selling off land to private owners who don’t care about the people, they only care about profit.
"#GrenfellTower is like a statue reminding us that these people died because they were poor." Kusai Rahul at the #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/m2D7UrxCDT
“The way Theresa May didn’t even come down to the people, she came and had a little private meeting. You see Jeremy Corbyn come down to the people. At the end of the day the conservatives have lost it, Theresa May has lost it, she just needs to go.
“It’s a reality check, that [tower] right there. It’s like a statue that’s going to stay there for a long time, and it’s in the minds of the people that these people died because they were poor. The government don’t care about working class people.”
Another demonstration is being called for tomorrow at 12 pm outside Kensington and Chelsea town hall, according to a speaker on Lancaster Road.
“We have to keep the pressure on,” he says. “Theresa May needs to go.”
Updated
at 8.54pm BST
8.42pm BST
20:42
Owen Bowcott
By 8.15pm the rally, which halted on Lancaster Road below Grenfell Tower, was beginning slowly to disperse.
A thin line of police officers stood behind the fence that closed off the road leading to the base of the charred tower.
A woman carrying a cardboard sign declaring ‘Austerity Kills: Bun the Tories’ folded it away and left.
8.41pm BST
20:41
The central London protest has now moved on. After holding up Oxford Circus, protestors gathered outside the BBC and are now going down Regent street.
It’s worth noting that the protest in Kensington, which is made up of mainly Grenfell Tower residents and the local community, is now winding down. More on that shortly.
Police presence here increases as approach Oxford St. "Strong and stable that's a lie. You don't care if people die" pic.twitter.com/Yiz2VMW2g5
Far cry from other protests when public kettled in Oxford Circus. Police here allowing protestors to stop at key points and Maximise impact
#JusticeForGrenfell protesters now sitting down in the middle of Oxford Circus pic.twitter.com/X1vcCOTqzU
Scene outside BBC #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/fMeAFDW8PJ
#JusticeForGrenfell demonstration outside the BBC. Portland Place is blocked. Delays around the West End. [ro] pic.twitter.com/kz6XXpeaKh
8.11pm BST8.11pm BST
20:1120:11
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
The criminal investigation into the Grenfell tower fire has begun taking advice from prosecutors.The criminal investigation into the Grenfell tower fire has begun taking advice from prosecutors.
Detectives have asked for early guidance from the special crime division of the Crown Prosecution Service. It is understood to involve what charges should be considered, and the evidence required.Detectives have asked for early guidance from the special crime division of the Crown Prosecution Service. It is understood to involve what charges should be considered, and the evidence required.
A CPS spokesperson said: “A police investigation is under way and we are providing support and advice as required.”A CPS spokesperson said: “A police investigation is under way and we are providing support and advice as required.”
7.57pm BST7.57pm BST
19:5719:57
Chris Imafidon, whose home overlooks Grenfell Tower and who spoke to my colleague Lisa O’Carroll earlier, gave an emotional address to the crowd in central London. He was still holding a scorched piece of cladding and also a poster for one of the young children missing in the other hand.Chris Imafidon, whose home overlooks Grenfell Tower and who spoke to my colleague Lisa O’Carroll earlier, gave an emotional address to the crowd in central London. He was still holding a scorched piece of cladding and also a poster for one of the young children missing in the other hand.
He said: “I’m not here because I support the Tories, Labour or Liberals. I’m here because this child ... on Tuesday went to bed and now nobody knows where this child is.He said: “I’m not here because I support the Tories, Labour or Liberals. I’m here because this child ... on Tuesday went to bed and now nobody knows where this child is.
“I was in front of the block of flats that went up in flames and here [the cladding] is the evidence.”“I was in front of the block of flats that went up in flames and here [the cladding] is the evidence.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.05pm BSTat 8.05pm BST
7.49pm BST7.49pm BST
19:4919:49
Damien GayleDamien Gayle
Protesters have gathered on Lancaster Road, by the Notting Hill Methodist church, in the shadow of the burned-out shell of Grenfell Tower.Protesters have gathered on Lancaster Road, by the Notting Hill Methodist church, in the shadow of the burned-out shell of Grenfell Tower.
#GrenfellTowerprotest gathers in the shadow of #grenfelltower pic.twitter.com/83EQa3ZcGR#GrenfellTowerprotest gathers in the shadow of #grenfelltower pic.twitter.com/83EQa3ZcGR
Police are stopping them from going any further. Uniformed officers – not riot police – are making their way to the front of the demo.Police are stopping them from going any further. Uniformed officers – not riot police – are making their way to the front of the demo.
Police are expected to take a light touch, given the strong feelings surrounding the protest.Police are expected to take a light touch, given the strong feelings surrounding the protest.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.03pm BSTat 8.03pm BST
7.40pm BST7.40pm BST
19:4019:40
My colleague Damien Gayle is following those who had been protesting outside the town hall and are now on Lancaster Road marching towards Grenfell Tower. The numbers have swelled along the way.My colleague Damien Gayle is following those who had been protesting outside the town hall and are now on Lancaster Road marching towards Grenfell Tower. The numbers have swelled along the way.
Carnival scale crowds outside Notting Hill Gate for the #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/3Sm7Ta2T41Carnival scale crowds outside Notting Hill Gate for the #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/3Sm7Ta2T41
A small contingent of police in black overalls are flanking the #GlenfellTower protesters pic.twitter.com/OqabbgWJqzA small contingent of police in black overalls are flanking the #GlenfellTower protesters pic.twitter.com/OqabbgWJqz
Police vans spotted ahead of #GrenfellTower demo as it makes its way up Ladbroke Grove #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/SLZ6Teq9qQPolice vans spotted ahead of #GrenfellTower demo as it makes its way up Ladbroke Grove #GrenfellTowerprotest pic.twitter.com/SLZ6Teq9qQ
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.43pm BSTat 7.43pm BST
7.35pm BST7.35pm BST
19:3519:35
A man who posted pictures of a Grenfell Tower victim on social media has been sentenced to three months in prison.A man who posted pictures of a Grenfell Tower victim on social media has been sentenced to three months in prison.
Omega Mwaikambo was found guilty of malicious communications offences.Omega Mwaikambo was found guilty of malicious communications offences.
Mwaikambo pleaded guilty at Westminster magistrates court today to two counts under section 127 of the Communications Act.Mwaikambo pleaded guilty at Westminster magistrates court today to two counts under section 127 of the Communications Act.
He received six weeks in prison for each count, to run consecutively, making a total of twelve weeks (three months).He received six weeks in prison for each count, to run consecutively, making a total of twelve weeks (three months).
Mwaikambo was originally arrested near to Latimer Road tube station on Wednesday after he posted images relating to the fire at Grenfell Tower on his Facebook page. The images reportedly showed a partially clothed body.Mwaikambo was originally arrested near to Latimer Road tube station on Wednesday after he posted images relating to the fire at Grenfell Tower on his Facebook page. The images reportedly showed a partially clothed body.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.44pm BSTat 7.44pm BST
7.22pm BST7.22pm BST
19:2219:22
Damien GayleDamien Gayle
Protesters walking through the upmarket parts of Notting Hill are calling for the area’s wealthy residents to join their demonstration.Protesters walking through the upmarket parts of Notting Hill are calling for the area’s wealthy residents to join their demonstration.
“We all have kids who go to the same schools,” a man says through a PA. “How can this happen in the richest borough in London?”“We all have kids who go to the same schools,” a man says through a PA. “How can this happen in the richest borough in London?”
The demonstration numbers maybe a thousand now, stopping traffic on Holland Park Avenue. The mass chant is: “Justice. Now.”The demonstration numbers maybe a thousand now, stopping traffic on Holland Park Avenue. The mass chant is: “Justice. Now.”
#grenfelltower protesters march down Holland Park avenue pic.twitter.com/x4U5vCpEKi#grenfelltower protesters march down Holland Park avenue pic.twitter.com/x4U5vCpEKi
A chief concern among demonstrators is what they see as the continued downplaying of the death toll in the media. They feel that authorities are trying to manage the impact of the tragedy by withholding its scale from the public.A chief concern among demonstrators is what they see as the continued downplaying of the death toll in the media. They feel that authorities are trying to manage the impact of the tragedy by withholding its scale from the public.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.30pm BSTat 7.30pm BST
7.19pm BST7.19pm BST
19:1919:19
Lisa O'CarrollLisa O'Carroll
Chris Imafidon, a local resident, who came to the Marsham Street protest holding a charred panel of insulation from Grenfell said the council was a disgrace.“They have not reacted,” he said. “They have not come down to the residents. They have not come to churches and asked, ‘how did you pass Wednesday night, the day after the fire?’”Chris Imafidon, a local resident, who came to the Marsham Street protest holding a charred panel of insulation from Grenfell said the council was a disgrace.“They have not reacted,” he said. “They have not come down to the residents. They have not come to churches and asked, ‘how did you pass Wednesday night, the day after the fire?’”
This man who lives near Grenfell arrived with a panel of insulation from the building. "The council has not reacted" pic.twitter.com/zQDaYmQ4EPThis man who lives near Grenfell arrived with a panel of insulation from the building. "The council has not reacted" pic.twitter.com/zQDaYmQ4EP
Several speakers drew roars from the crowds as they called for May to go.Several speakers drew roars from the crowds as they called for May to go.
“We are being treated like rubbish. Our people are being murdered,” one speaker said.“We are being treated like rubbish. Our people are being murdered,” one speaker said.
Another local resident, Moyra Samuels, who is a teacher, said one of the children in her school had died and insisted survivors would not be uprooted from the locality.Another local resident, Moyra Samuels, who is a teacher, said one of the children in her school had died and insisted survivors would not be uprooted from the locality.
“For a long time in Kensington our communities have been fighting gentrification. We will not have the continuation of ethnic cleansing and social cleansing across our borough,” she said.“For a long time in Kensington our communities have been fighting gentrification. We will not have the continuation of ethnic cleansing and social cleansing across our borough,” she said.
“We deserve to live in the same borough as David Cameron, Michael Gove, [Roman] Abramovich and David Beckham.”“We deserve to live in the same borough as David Cameron, Michael Gove, [Roman] Abramovich and David Beckham.”
She told the Guardian: “This is the anger people are feeling. They have been so ground down by years of Tory councils, this anger had to be channeled somewhere,”She told the Guardian: “This is the anger people are feeling. They have been so ground down by years of Tory councils, this anger had to be channeled somewhere,”
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.15pm BSTat 8.15pm BST
7.17pm BST
19:17
A Tory councillor responsible for housing on Solihull council appears to have just tweeted something extraordinary at my colleague Martin Belam about the Kensington town hall protest.
Martin tweeted a photograph from the protest and Ken Hawkins responded: “Lets get ourselves a hangin!” and compared them to a lynch mob.
This appears to be @Conservatives councillor responsible for housing on Solihull council comparing #GrenfellTower community to a lynch mob pic.twitter.com/soDZ4vCN40
7.07pm BST
19:07
Mustafa Almansur, who organised the protest at Kensington and Chelsea town hall, believes a family friend and her children were killed in the blaze.
Rania Ibrahim, who is a friend of Almansur’s wife, messaged friends and livestreamed a video to Facebook from her 23rd-floor flat as the fire rose through the tower. When her battery ran out, the video cut, and she and her two children have not been heard from since.
Speaking as crowds remained gathered at the entrance of the building, Almansur said the protests would continue.
The reason for the protest is that so far in the last three days the general public have done everything from raising money to actually going out there on the streets, helping people, finding the victims of the tragedy, going to the community centres, the churches and the mosques with donations and in cash.
“To this day the council has failed to do anything in public, they have not made a public statement or any public comment. The statement they made today was just a fluffy statement – open-ended promises with no concrete numbers of what they are going to be able to do for the people.
Almansur said protesters had been “unsatisfied” by the council’s responses to their questions, but insisted that they had not sought a confrontation with police.
The people didn’t storm the building, they walked into the building after I read out the statement, unhappy with what they heard. So they said let’s go into the building and get the senior executives to come down, but the police were inside the building already not allowing anybody to go up the stairs. The people stood there and they were speaking in the microphone making their demands be known.
Updated
at 7.29pm BST
6.55pm BST
18:55
Lisa O'Carroll
At the Downing Street protest, Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said fire standards had deteriorated because of years of cuts.“I heard people saying we need to learn the lessons from Grenfell Tower. These are not new lessons. We learned these lessons 40 years ago and we have to ask why these lessons were not learned.”
Updated
at 7.05pm BST
6.53pm BST
18:53
Back at St Clement’s Church, May was also the subject of people’s anger. A woman, wiping away tears after May’s visit, said: “Everyone has lost everything and no one is doing nothing. This is our town.”
Another man, who did not give his name, said: “What did she bring, what useful things did she bring? The tower block is more strong and stable than that woman’s government.”
Updated
at 7.05pm BST
6.49pm BST
18:49
Lisa O'Carroll
Weyman Bennett, one of the protest organisers, called for May to go. He said it was going to be “a long hot summer” and the working class would come together to oust her.The crowd of about 500 people are now marching from the Department of Communities on Marsham Street to Downing Street.Promising the anger would swell the crowds on the protest he told marchers: “By the time we get to Downing Street, we will know if we are then going to join the others in Kensington town hall or if they will come to Downing Street.”
Updated
at 7.04pm BST
6.42pm BST
18:42
My colleague Damien Gayle is reporting that protesters have now left the hall and are marching back to the tower to join the other protest there.
Protesters now heading back to the #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/gFqlaOlCIG
Updated
at 6.44pm BST
6.40pm BST
18:40
Lisa O'Carroll
An angry member of the public calls on people to march on Downing St tonight. “Theresa May is not fit to be PM,” he says.
He said he grew up in a council flat. “Council housing used to be safe, affordable. We could put out children to bed and know they would get up in the morning.”
Updated
at 6.45pm BST
6.34pm BST
18:34
Damien Gayle
Carolyne Hill, 39, from Brixton, said she came to the Kensington demo to “make a stand for my fellow Londoners”.
"This is the result of our government and councils not caring about the people." Carolyne Hill from Brixton on the #GrefellTowerFire pic.twitter.com/uv4mnwM44T
She said: “I believe that the council is supposed to protect its people. This council committed basic gross negligence in providing basic human rights in their fire safety – people died in their homes.
“The council is following legislation made by the government, the government has made cuts in every single borough. This is the result of our government, our councils not caring about their people.
“They’ve put profit over people now for far too long. This is the result.”
Updated
at 6.45pm BST
6.32pm BST
18:32
Victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster will be asked how the public inquiry into the fire should be carried out, Theresa May has announced.
Survivors and the families of those who died in the devastating blaze will also be given state funding for legal representation at the probe, the prime minister told residents during a visit to a nearby church.
The package of measures to help the families affected by the Grenfell Tower fire will include £5m of cash donations to be distributed to residents, after the government faced growing criticism over its botched response to the disaster.
My colleagues Heather Stewart and Jessica Elgot have more on that here:
Updated
at 6.46pm BST
6.23pm BST
18:23
Amelia Gentleman
Local residents were disappointed that the prime minister did not speak to them after her visit to the St Clement’s church, and her swift departure led to shouts of “shame on you” and “coward” from a large crowd of people who had waited outside the church to hear her say something.
Simon McDonald, who works doing youth training with an organisation called Inspired Possibilities, and who grew up in the area, had come to volunteer his services. He was disappointed that the prime minister didn’t stop and talk to affected families outside the building. “We were looking for her to say that she is here with the community,” he said. “She just needed to say a few words of comfort.”
Paul Dhillon, who works near the block and who was there on the night the fire happened, was cynical about her decision to visit. “She’s just doing damage limitation, because she screwed up her polls,” he said.
Layla, who lives in the block beneath the tower, and who waited in vain to see Theresa May, said she didn’t think that there was anything the prime minister could have said to locals that would have made them feel better. “What could she have said? We’ve got so much pain and hurt. We saw it and we live on it.”
Updated
at 6.47pm BST