A commemoration ceremony which took place in London today on the 9th
anniversary of terrorist bomb attacks on the city was organised by the
Warrington charity, the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace –
and was able to proceed as planned despite a graffiti attack on the Hyde Park memorial.
The memorial commemorating the victims of the July 7 bombings was defaced just hours before survivors and bereaved families gather to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the attacks.
The stainless steel columns of the memorial in Hyde Park, central London, were daubed with red and black slogans with the messages ‘4Innocent Muslims’, ‘Blair Lied Thousands Died’ and ‘J7 Truth’.
The graffiti was removed and the eventr was able to proceed as planned.
A minutes silence was observed in memory of those who lost their lives, those injured and those affected by the bombings. The ceremony took place at the 7/7 memorial in Hyde Park.
After the minute’s silence survviors and representatives of the emergency services spoke about their experiences.
The names of all those who died in the bombings were also read aloud.
A 150-strong Rock Choir then performed five songs at the event. The ceremony closed with the laying of flowers.
The Foundation is a specialist in helping victims and survivors of terrorism and political violence and works with many people affected by the London bombings. The charity is appointed by Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to manage the commemoration this year and in 2015.
Jo Dover from the Foundation said: “We need to remember and respect those who lost their lives and those whose lives have changed forever following the horrific events of that day.
“The Foundation is privileged to support the families and survivors to organise this event, as part of our wider work in supporting victims of terrorism and conflict.”
