Stormzy sends support to Grenfell Tower community in virtual tribute for third anniversary of fire

Stormzy pays tribute to the Grenfell community (file photo)
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Stormzy has paid tribute to victims of the Grenfell Tower fire during a virtual memorial marking the third anniversary of the disaster.

The west London tower went up in flames on June 14, claiming 72 lives while more than 70 other people were injured.

The anniversary has been commemorated predominantly online due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Grenfell survivors and supporters joined together for a virtual memorial, which was streamed on Sunday evening with messages of support and a two-minute silence for those who died.

People taking part in a silent walk along Cambridge Gardens in London on the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire
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In a video played during the Grenfell United online event, Stormzy said: “I said I was just gonna put the camera on and just talk from my heart instead of trying to prepare anything, I didn’t want this to sound like it came from anywhere other than my heart.

“To all the people of Grenfell, we’re still mourning with you, so to anyone watching this let’s use this time, let’s use today to stand in solidarity with them and say that we ain’t forgotten you. We love you, we’re here for you.

People are marking the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire
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“When the Government and powers that be have turned their back on you, we’re here. We’re here, we’ve got you, we’re not letting this go.

“Because as much as my life’s moved on, your life’s moved on unless you had someone in that fire who you directly lost, whoever your family, your friend, your sister, your mother, your brother, your father, our lives have moved on but there is still a dark reality that these people have to face all the time, that Grenfell was still a reality for these people.

People taking part in a silent walk along Cambridge Gardens in London on the third anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire
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“It was just a day, it was just a week, it was just a month for us, it was a green heart, it was a badge, it was a tweet, but that’s still a dark reality for these people.”

Stormzy said the people of Grenfell and west London had taken the tragedy and turned it into “togetherness and friendship and brotherhood and sisterhood and family”

He continued: “Whenever it’s an anniversary or event I’m filled with so much love and joy because I’m just watching these people who have turned this tragedy into triumph and I’m just like this is one of the most remarkable, amazing things I’ve ever seen.

“Never forget what happened at Grenfell, please never ever forget. I love you guys and you lot inspire me because you lot have managed to remain so resilient in the face of the most darkest, darkest, darkest tragedy that people should never experience.

“I don’t know how we have the mental, emotional threshold for that but somehow you bunch of superheroes do and we love you guys, you’re legendary.”