South Norwood Tourist Board

Never have we felt so proud to be a part of the South Norwood community as we did on Wednesday night. Over 300 people turned out to show that half a dozen half-wits with a cardboard box do not speak for us.

The media like to look for leaders and talk about organisers, but Wednesday nights silent march in solidarity with Grenfell was a result of the spontaneous mass outpouring of feeling across the community that something had to be done – and the people of South Norwood got out there and made it happen.

It was a sombre event but it was also a beautiful event. To be surrounded by so much love and solidarity is a reminder of what humanity can and should be. So many different people helped out, doing what they could. It showed what we are capable of as a community when we come together.

It was small mindedness, self-interest and spite that led to the terrible events of Grenfell. The idea that some people’s lives are somehow worth less than others. We will not forget those who died because someone thought that it was “reasonable” to cut corners; because our leaders put fiscal “prudence” before prudence with people’s lives.

We will continue to stand in solidarity with Grenfell. We will stand with them in their fight for justice. As long as it takes.

And maybe one day we will live in a world where lives matter more than spreadhseets. The people of North Kensington and now the people of South Norwood have shown that many of us already do. Perhaps one day our leaders will too.