Source: Liverpool_Echo
Hillsborough memorial service calls for blanket covering tragedy to be lifted
FAMILIES of Liverpool FC fans killed at Hillsborough have demanded the 'blanket' covering the tragedy be lifted on its 21st anniversary.[LNB]More than 10,000 people attended an emotional memorial service at Anfield yesterday afternoon.[LNB] The Kop at the memorial service Liverpool's players arrive at the service Flags and shirts lay on the pitch. Flags and shirts lay on the pitch. Chairman of the Hillsborough Family Support group Margaret Aspinall looks at the 96 candles. A candle for each of the 96 Shirts and other momentos at Anfield Flowers are laid outside the ground Liverpool's players at the service Shedding a tear at the service Shedding a tear at the service Shedding a tear at the service The 21st anniversary memorial service Remembering the 96 at Anfield John Aldridge speaks to the crowd 96 balloons are released at Anfield Scarves are raised in tribute at Anfield, including an Everton scarfIn a powerful speech, Hillsborough Family Support Group chairman Margaret Aspinall called for apologies to be made to the families of the 96 Liverpool fans who died after the crushes on the Leppings Lane terrace.[LNB]In a typically emotional service, the event was punctuated by 'justice for the 96' chants, which rang down from the Kop.[LNB]Mrs Aspinall, who lost her son James, 18, at Hillsborough, aid she was amazed how grieving relatives continually fought back after being 'brought to their knees.'[LNB]She told the crowd: 'Last year, [Government minister] Andy Burnham stood before you, you all gave your voices to him, he listened, he heard, he took that message back to the government. I thank Andy Burnham for that.[LNB]'I would like to thank the [newly-established Hillsborough] panel for taking on this mammoth task [of re-examining all the files]. It will not be easy, but it is for the families, survivors and fans.[LNB]'We know why were here. In 1989, 96 loved ones died after they did not come back from a football game.[LNB]'There was a blanket put over Hillsborough and that blanket has got to be removed.'[LNB]The current Liverpool FC squad and staff attended the service, including manager Rafa Benitez, managing director Christian Purslow and legend Kenny Dalglish.[LNB]The 10,000 tickets were fully booked in the hour leading up to the memorial service and 3,000 seats in the Lower Centenary stand were made available as a last-minute contingency plan.
