Do you know these men?
The images above were taken from a video in which an effigy of Grenfell Tower is burned, in mockery of the residents who died, were injured, or had their lives irreversibly harmed when the tower block was destroyed by fire last year.
Police have launched an investigation, as this report states:
“Scotland Yard have launched an investigation into a “vile” video of a model of Grenfell Tower being burned on a bonfire.
“Party-goers … laughed and joked as they mocked the Grenfell tragedy.
“The Metropolitan Police are appealing for information on who was at the event that has been widely condemned as “sick” and racist.
“The footage, apparently shot for bonfire night in a private garden, shows the 3ft cardboard model with brown faces at the windows – and a woman in a niqab – being lifted onto a fire.
“[It] shows a group of white people laughing as the tower mock-up burns.
“They refer to “ninjas”, thought to be a substitute for either Muslim women who wear a face veil or the offensive term “n*****”.
“Men in the group call mockingly: “Help me!” and “Stay in your flat” – the advice given to residents during the UK’s worst residential fire since the Second World War, which engulfed Grenfell Tower in north Kensington last summer.
“Social media users felt sure the event was a hate crime, calling for those behind the burning to be punished.”
You won’t see the video in this article. I won’t give this kind of hate the oxygen of publicity.
But if you know any of the people in the images above – which were taken from the video – please contact the police.
The public reaction has been universally negative:
It’s a disgusting video. We hope that the police are taking this seriously. Not only is it extremely upsetting to survivors & people who lost family, it’s hateful & offensive to everyone that has been affected by the tragic events of that night. 1/3
— Grenfell United (@GrenfellUnited) November 5, 2018
Meanwhile this week survivors continue to bravely give their evidence at the @grenfellinquiry today. Our focus & support is with them. 💚 3/3
— Grenfell United (@GrenfellUnited) November 5, 2018
Unbelievably disturbing.
Whoever made the cardboard Grenfell Tower likely sat chatting whilst planning their creation, carefully cutting out individual shapes of people’s heads to place in windows, who took time to make a stand to burn it on.
England in 2018. Chilling.
— Dr Lauren Gavaghan (@DancingTheMind) November 5, 2018
Some chose to make political points – but can anyone blame a person who says the following?
You know why those people in that hideous video felt burning an effigy of Grenfell tower was a good idea? Because the corporate media which is run by billionaire tax exiles led them to believe the people in that building were undeserving.
— Lowkey (@Lowkey0nline) November 5, 2018
One of the people who offered their condemnation was herself condemned: UK prime minister Theresa May.
She tweeted:
To disrespect those who lost their lives at Grenfell Tower, as well as their families and loved ones, is utterly unacceptable. https://t.co/i4PeM2cGBd
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) November 5, 2018
Mrs May’s words were considered the height of hypocrisy, in the light of her own behaviour towards the victims of Grenfell.
Says the habitual liar that has left 151 families in emergency/temporary accommodation some 16 months after the tragedy. You can’t go soon enough, Prime Minister. https://t.co/Yc8bRTRNhq
— Rachael Swindon (@Rachael_Swindon) November 5, 2018
Wind your neck in Treeza…There are still 151 families not housed a year after you promised to house them. People in glass houses eh….. https://t.co/doFuokvTb7
— Bevan Boy (@mac123_m) November 5, 2018
You wouldn't even meet with them. Your face said it all when you eventually forced yourself to hold a painting that had been done. Don't think for a second that people aren't just as disgusted with your lack of 'respect' for anyone at all. And yes, it was 'unacceptable'.
— TracieWaylingArtASMR (@traciewayling) November 5, 2018
Mrs May’s attitude was insensitive, but it was not a hate crime.
Making a racist effigy of Grenfell Tower, and laughing while burning it, is.
Take a good look at the images, and don’t hesitate to call the police if you think you can help identify the perpetrators of this abomination.
UPDATE: Five men have handed themselves in to police after images from the “Grenfell effigy” video appeared on the social media.
According to the BBC: “The Metropolitan Police said the men – two aged 49 and the others aged 19, 46 and 55 – handed themselves in at a south London station on Monday night.”
They have been arrested on suspicion of having committed a public order offence.
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