I'm not related to any victim, nor am I a survivor. I do though know plenty of survivors through my time following this great football club. I feel emotional myself today. I joined the fight as a foot soldier through learning more about what happened at the disaster from friends who attended the match and learning as much as I could about what happened on that day.
In particular, I remember making a couple of banners for truth day. I remember the chants at Andy Burnham on the date of the anniversary. I remember the Government petition reaching 100,000 and then 200,000 and then 300,000 signatures. I remember watching the entire debate in Parliament. I remember the setting up of the HIP. I remember the HIP findings and David Cameron's comments and the weight that palpably felt lifted on that day for everyone. I remember the setting up of the inquests, I remember following them day by day and learning ever more about the greatest sporting tragedy in Britain's history and I'll never forget today for as long as I live. I will also never forget following Anne Williams' efforts throughout.
I feel like I've been through the wringer, and I feel upset, emotional and happy all in one today. And I know that what I'm experiencing is nothing, absolutely nothing like what the families have been through or are experiencing today and feel greatly humbled.
I'm delighted for everyone connected with the disaster, victims, families, survivors, supporters and all the rest that the Truth is categorical. The 96 were unlawfully killed. The survivors were NOT to blame.
This day is for all of them, it's just a shame it took so long and so many years and so many fights to get to today. I hope criminal convictions follow and justice is done.
Justice for the 96.