Liverpool marks 30 years since Hillsborough disaster
- Published
Tributes are being displayed in Liverpool to mark the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
Banners with images of the 96 fans killed by the crush at an FA Cup game between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest have been hung at St George's Hall.
A minute's silence will be held on Monday in Liverpool at 15:06 BST - when the match was halted on 15 April 1989 at Sheffield's Hillsborough ground.
Liverpool's mayor said the city would "stand together in solidarity".
Joe Anderson added: "The 96 have never been forgotten and even though this city is divided by our footballing allegiances, we have been united in supporting the families and Hillsborough survivors for the past 30 years, and will continue to do so."
Earlier this year, former Ch Supt David Duckenfield, who was the match commander, stood trial for the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 fans at the FA Cup semi-final. He denied the charge.
Under the law at the time, there can be no prosecution for the 96th victim, Tony Bland, as he died in 1993 following brain damage - more than a year and a day after the disaster.
The jury failed to reach a verdict on Mr Duckenfield but the Crown Prosecution Service said it planned to seek a retrial. However, Mr Duckenfield's lawyers said they would oppose the prosecutors' application for a retrial.
Ex-Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell was found guilty of a health and safety charge.
Plans for speeches, performances and prayers on Monday evening have been cancelled by the city's council to avoid a "legal risk" to any "future decisions made regarding ongoing legal proceedings", Mr Anderson said.
Wreaths will be laid at St George's Hall in a ceremony on Monday morning, with 96 lanterns lit in memory of the victims.
The city's commemorations include:
- An afternoon service at the Anglican Cathedral from 14:45 BST.
- Flags will be flown at half-mast and the town hall bells will toll 96 times.
- Mersey Ferries will sound their horns and traffic will be stopped for one minute at both tunnels at 15:06 BST.
- St George's Hall will be lit up red every evening this week.
- The words "Never Forgotten" will be displayed on screens outside Lime Street rail station and on the M62.
- Published4 April 2019
- Published3 April 2019
