Grenfell Speaks

15/01/2024

GrenfellSpeaks began on the 14th of June 2017 as a social media news channel following the devastating Grenfell Tower fire in North Kensington, London, which tragically claimed the lives of 72 people.

Our aim back then was to highlight authentic stories of resilience, activism, and community spirit, often absent from mainstream media.

Almost 7 years on from the tragic events at Grenfell Tower, little has changed. The same broken systems that led to the devastating tragedy persist not only in local settings but also across most of the industrialised world.

Through Podspeaks media, we aim to continue the conversation that started almost 7 years ago by providing a platform for diverse voices to come together and discuss issues that affect our daily lives, free from propaganda, spin, or outdated thinking.

Our goal is to make sense of the world around us and share that with our community.

Our firm belief is that every one of us has a role to play in building a better world, and it is our collective responsibility to do our part.

If this sounds like something you can support and be a part of, then please join us.

https://www.facebook.com/PodSpeaks/
https://www.instagram.com/podspeaks/
https://twitter.com/Podspeaks

20/09/2023

Fraud cases, while serious in their own right, must be understood and seen as a secondary consequence of the fire. They stem from the aftermath of a disaster created by corporate greed and indifference toward a marginalised and long suffering community

Any financial exploitation committed in the aftermath of the fire is a direct consequence of the initial failings of policy makers, the local authority and those in charge of the refurb of Grenfell Tower.

While not intending to diminish the importance of addressing fraud, it is essential to acknowledge that it is distinct from the primary offense of corporate manslaughter, which cost the lives of 72 innocent people, and should be regarded as such.

Scotland Yard has interviewed 56 people under caution in connection with the Grenfell Tower fire sin...

14/06/2023

6 years on, we remember the 72 loved ones who perished as a result of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Over the weekend local and wider communities came together to stand in unity at the event at Flippers Roller Boogie Palace

A 72-second silence was held followed by the 72 names read out by bereaved family member Hissam Choucair.

The skate community honoured the 72 lives lost with a special skate tribute, a continuous green heart of 72 skaters.

Thank you, everyone, for the love, support and solidarity you showed the community.

Our thoughts, as always, remain with the bereaved, survivors and local community on this difficult day.
Grenfell, forever in our hearts 💚

Video courtesy of Flippers Roller Boogie Palace

12/06/2023

As we approach the 6th anniversary of the devastating Grenfell Tower fire that took the lives of so many and forever changed a community. Many in the local community have been working tirelessly to ensure that every precious life that was lost on the 14th of June 2017 is remembered. We come together as a national community as we have done every year to reflect on the tragic event and to honour those who are no longer with us.

This is a small list of events taking place in the local community on the 14th of June 2023.

11/06/2023

We have been inundated with requests for access to the event. If we missed anyone, please contact us via our socials and we will do our best to find a ticket for you.

We will pause the event at 6pm to hold a 72-second silence in remembrance of the 72 precious lives that were needlessly lost.

This will be followed by a tribute skate on the rink led by 72 members of the skater community.

We look forward to seeing you all today at .

Forever in our hearts 💚

11/04/2023

Shot almost 6 years ago from a helicopter, the opening scene of Steve McQueen's "Grenfell" begins with a shot of the outskirts of London and surrounding areas. The scene gives way to the sounds of the city as we slowly move towards the inevitable first glimpse of Grenfell Tower.

As you nervously scan the horizon, Grenfell Tower slowly appears in the distance, first as a dark shadow on the green landscape, and then the burnt-out remains of the building hit you as the image slowly fills the entire screen.

For a large part of the 24-minute film, the helicopter silently circles the tower, capturing in vivid detail the image of the charred remains of the tower before it was neatly wrapped under heavy-duty white plastic sheeting, covering the shame of those responsible for the tragedy.

The film allows the viewer a front-row seat of the horror that took place on the 14th of June 2017. The blackened, hollowed-out windows where families once stood to admire the magnificent views of London now frame rooms filled with red plastic bags as workers in white forensic suits methodically sift through the crime scene.

For those of us who witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of neglect by those in power, Steve McQueen's "Grenfell" is a grim reminder of corporate greed and indifference towards working-class people.

McQueen's unflinching commitment to authentic storytelling is on full display here, showcasing the power of film to draw attention to social issues.

The silence depicted in this film reflects the silence that still shrouds Grenfell. Almost six years since the fire, not much has improved for the residents living in the shadow of Grenfell Tower. The lack of any significant change and the constant battle for small incremental victories has left the local community feeling disheartened, frustrated, and angry.

As you leave the screening, the names of the victims lined up neatly on the white wall remind us that we must never forget the lessons of Grenfell and the importance of holding those in power to account.

We must remember the lives lost, the families affected, and the community still fighting for justice and change. Only then can we hope to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

Grenfell forever in our hearts 💚

27/03/2023

The upcoming Steve McQueen film, 'Grenfell' is a stark reminder of the tragedy that took place in a vibrant North Kensington community in West London on the 14th of June 2017, this should serve as a wake-up call to those in power to take responsibility for their actions.

For many the film will be a hard-hitting and traumatic watch, however, it is important that we do not turn away from the harsh realities of what happened at Grenfell Tower. We must confront the truth and use it as a catalyst for accountability, justice and change.

By seeing this film, and sharing the story with the world, we can help ensure the Grenfell Tower tragedy is not forgotten and that lessons learned from the disaster are implemented and not ignored.

While it is essential to watch the film, It is also of vital importance that we as a community do not become passive bystanders of our own history. Owning our story and telling it is a crucial step towards creating a lasting legacy for Grenfell and is an act of resilience and strength in the face of tragedy.

It is imperative that we listen to the voices of those who have been directly impacted by the Grenfell Tower fire. Only by amplifying their voices, stories and experiences can we gain a fuller understanding of the human toll of this tragedy.

The legacy of Grenfell Tower is one that must be shaped by the people who have lived through it. We must not shy away from the difficult truths that this tragedy reveals, and instead use it as a catalyst for positive change.

By working together towards justice, accountability, and systemic reforms, we can honour the memory of those we lost and prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

'Grenfell" by Steve McQueen is being shown at the Serpentine South Gallery
From 7 Apr — 10 May 2023
FREE

https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/grenfell-by-steve-mcqueen/

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/27/steve-mcqueen-grenfell-tower-film-serpentine-gallery

Grenfell by Steve McQueen   In December 2017, artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen (b. 1969, London, UK) made an artwork in response to the fire that

15/06/2022

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14/06/2022

14/06/2022

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13/06/2022

Westfield London will be holding a 72-second silence tomorrow the 14th of June at 2pm. The silence will be followed by the reading of the names of our beloved 72 who were tragically lost as a result of the Grenfell Tower fire, over the centre's PA system 💚

The idea is to silence the centre and ask that everyone present reflect and remember the loved ones lost 💚

Our thoughts as always, remain with the bereaved, survivors and local community at this difficult time.

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11/06/2022

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10/06/2022

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09/06/2022

We want to wish Manfred and David the very best of luck on your walk to raise awareness for Grenfell. 162 miles in 5 days from the Thames head to Grenfell Tower. We’re all rooting for you!

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09/06/2022

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08/06/2022

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