'We wanted people to start talking about Grenfell again - and that's why you're interviewing me. It seems to have worked'
Three billboards calling for justice for the 71 people killed inside Grenfell Tower were driven through London and parked outside parliament yesterday.
Eight months since an inferno raged through Grenfell, pressure group Justice4Grenfell paraded the advertising vans through the capital in a protest mirroring Oscar nominated film
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
They read: "71 DEAD", "AND STILL NO ARRESTS?", "HOW COME?"
We spoke to Tasha Brade, one of the organisers and a Justice4Grenfell spokesperson.
What’s the reaction to the advertising boards been like?
The reaction to the campaign has been brilliant - we set out hoping to make our voices and the voices of our community heard, and they have been - amongst a chorus of others who have come out in support of the campaign and the billboards.
Why did you conduct this campaign? Were you concerned Grenfell was falling out of the public eye?
We really wanted to ensure that this story remains in the public eye. With the passing of eight months, we were worried that the nation would forget about Grenfell. The truth is, the fire at Grenfell Tower had a huge ripple effect and is affecting thousands of people everyday. Those within our community have to see the burnt out tomb of Grenfell each day - and that doesn't get easier, especially when so many have PTSD.
We are also concerned about the fact that only three out of 300 towers in the UK that failed cladding safety tests, have been de-cladded. That means that the residents in 297 other towers across the nation are wondering each day if their home will be the next Grenfell Tower. In eight months, only three towers have been de-cladded - that's a scary thought.
We wanted people to start talking about Grenfell again - and that's why you're interviewing me. It seems to have worked.
As was the case with the billboards used in the film, some people may feel this tactic is too extreme and places unnecessary pressure on the police conducting an investigation. How would you answer that kind of criticism?
A quote from the film, that I believe is important here: "The more you keep a case in the public eye, the better your chances are at getting it solved."
I don't believe that this has placed unnecessary pressure on the police. We want a full and thorough police investigation, but if it was a normal citizen that had neglected people, and not listened to them when they warned of the safety dangers at Grenfell, charges would've been brought already.
We had four different options for the middle billboard, and ultimately it was not our decision which one was chosen.
We want justice for the 71 people who died, those who survived and the bereaved. We want justice for the hundreds that are still homeless and for the thousands of people still living in unsafe towers.
What’s the aim of the campaign/Justice 4 Grenfell?
Justice4Grenfell (J4G) is a community-led organisation, focused on the long term goal of obtaining justice for the bereaved families, survivors, evacuated residents and the wider local community, partnering with representative organisations. J4G will be engaging with the public inquiry on behalf of its membership –
join us.
J4G was set up a few days after the Grenfell Fire disaster and officially launched on June 19th 2017 with the first of monthly silent walks – now held on the 14th of each month from Ladbroke Grove to the Grenfell Memorial Wall.
Together with many other local groups and individuals, J4G stepped into the void left by the authorities, to try to meet the urgent needs of those impacted. This work continues because of the on-going failure of the authorities to respond adequately to the disaster.
Have your billboards had any impact on the investigation?
The Met Police yesterday said " The investigation is still ongoing; there has been no arrest at this time."
All picture credits Justice4Grenfell, Twitter: @officialJ4G
