Liverpool to award Freedom of the City to the 96
Liverpool is set to award the Freedom of the City to the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
Liverpool is set to award the Freedom of the City to the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
For the first time the award will be given posthumously - in tribute to men, women, and children who lost their lives on the 15th April 1989.
Last month, an inquest jury found that the 96 were unlawfully killed and the fans played no part in the tragedy.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: "The fight for truth and justice over the last 27 years has involved many people, not least the families of the 96 who we honoured with the Freedom of the City back in 2009."
"Today we are announcing that we want to bestow the honour on those who died, together with a number of people who have played a pivotal role over many, many years - not just in the Hillsborough campaign, but who, through their actions, have enhanced the life of the city as well"
In addition to the 96, the Freedom of the City will be awarded to four individuals to helped play a pivotal role in the fight for the truth.
The Right Reverend James Jones, Professor Phil Scraton and Kenny & Marina Dalglish will also be honoured.
Margaret Aspinall CBE, Chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group said: "I am absolutely delighted that the city has chosen to honour the 96 in this way, as it is a wonderful tribute in their memory."
"I couldn't be anymore thrilled that Bishop James, Phil Scraton and Kenny and Marina are also being recognised as they have all given fantastic support to the families in their own special way over the years - they thoroughly deserve this honour."
A council meeting will be held in the near future to formalise the decision, with the ceremony taking place at St George's Hall later this year.