A flurry of online tributes were issued today as the Hillsborough disaster inquest concluded that the 96 fans who died on April 15th 1989 were not to blame and were in fact victims of ‘an unlawful killing’.
It wasn’t just Liverpool fans and icons who posted messages of support, but people from all over the country – many of whom consider us a rival or an enemy.
Hillsborough is bigger than football, and the wonderful, long-awaited reaction today proves as much.
One Club. One Voice. Justice for the 96. YNWA pic.twitter.com/Tc9sbTIyXw
— Paul Dalglish (@pauldalglish) April 26, 2016
At last justice for the 96 and their families. Well done to all who never gave up #jft96
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) April 26, 2016
Justice finally. #JFT96
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) April 26, 2016
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also posted a longer message, while Andy Burnham shared a message which described Hillsborough as ‘the greatest miscarriage of justice of our time’. Author Irvine Welsh explained the enormity of the disgrace perfectly, too.
After 27 long years the 96 victims of the Hillsborough tragedy & their families have finally received justice #JFT96 pic.twitter.com/iWpaE7tBAP
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) April 26, 2016
This has been the greatest miscarriage of justice of our times. But, finally, it is over. @andyburnhammp https://t.co/RGF5m8SyKd
— Labour Press Team (@labourpress) April 26, 2016
Hillsborough about more than establishment cover up of tragic deaths. Also about a state-led cultural vilification of a city & its people.
— Irvine Welsh (@IrvineWelsh) April 26, 2016
Celebrities also joined in, as well former boss Rafa Benitez, our rivals Everton and journalist David Conn – who wrote a brilliant report we advise you read following the announcement.
An old one – but imagine if 96 tennis fans died at a Wimbledon tennis semi final – would it take 27 years #JFT96
— terry christian (@terrychristian) April 26, 2016
Have shed so many tears today. “Unlawfully Killed” #JFT96 Finally! Sending love to all the families!! xxxx pic.twitter.com/xZOwRvUYyq
— Elizabeth McClarnon (@LizMcClarnon) April 26, 2016
We salute the Hillsborough families and their total vindication as Fighters for Justice. pic.twitter.com/rojHHOySJ3
— Everton (@Everton) April 26, 2016
Finally justice!!!https://t.co/y2bmXBtbfL #Hillsborough
— Rafa Benitez Web (@rafabenitezweb) April 26, 2016
Hillsborough: South Yorkshire police’s deadly failures & decades of hard-faced lies. My long read from the inquests https://t.co/OGrLJkXxR2
— David Conn (@david_conn) April 26, 2016
There were many who are now turning their attention on justice for the perpetrators of the cover up, such as the S*n newspaper, the Tory government of the time and South Yorkshire Police. John Aldridge called out former S*n editor Kelvin Mackenzie, while respected journalist Henry Winter reminded us that the battle is not fully won. The fans have been exonerated, but those responsible, the authorities, must be punished – even if it’ 27 years too late.
THE SUN NEWSPAPER AND ELVIN MCKENZIE TAKE NOTE!!!! https://t.co/vGoPYl9I6P
— John Aldridge (@Realaldo474) April 26, 2016
Those responsible for the deaths of the 96 Liverpool fans unlawfully killed at Hillsborough now need to be held properly to account.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) April 26, 2016
Poignantly, the club posted this message and pinned it to the top of their timeline. ’27 years of courage, resilience and determination.’
A landmark day for all affected by the Hillsborough tragedy. 27 years of courage, resilience and determination. pic.twitter.com/MwzdXQsO4x
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 26, 2016