Abdi Jama, a resident of the Hanover Tower in Broomhill, has spoken of his relief of the removal of the tower’s cladding following the Grenfell tragedy. The Hanover Tower is the only one of 24 Sheffield Council-owned tower blocks that failed safety tests carried out in the aftermath of the Grenfell fire in which 72 people died. Within two weeks of the disaster, works began to remove the Hanover Tower cladding. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Dozens of people travelled from Sheffield to London to take part in a national demonstration on Saturday to mark the United Nations international day against racism. Millions around the world are expected to take part in rallies and events in solidarity with victims of racism in a week of activities organised around the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre, 21 March 1960. The national demonstration comes just a week after anti terror police confirmed they are investigating a number of “Punish a Muslim Day” letters sent to different addresses. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield campaigners joined hundreds in a protest outside the Libyan embassy in London at the weekend to condemn torture and enslavement of African migrants attempting to transit through the country to enter Europe. The demonstration was held after a CNN investigation exposed the sale of Black African migrants at slave auctions in markets accross Libya. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue have begun additional fire safety checks on all tower blocks in Sheffield. Steve Helps, head of protection and prevention, told Sheffield Live that “early indications are that there are no similarities” between the cladding used on Sheffield high risers and the Grenfell Tower Block. He also confirmed the checks will be on all high risers and not just council-run properties. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
The chair of Gleadless Valley Tenants and Residents Association has challenged Sheffield Council to prove that cladding installed on the six high rise tower blocks at Callow Mount is safe and different to the cladding installed at Grenfell Tower in London. Sally Dale, chair of Gleadless Valley TARA warned that residents are nervous and would like written evidence to prove their buildings are safe. Councillor Jayne Dunn has said checks are being carried out by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield Council have confirmed that additional fire safety checks are to be carried out in residential tower blocks in Sheffield following the Grenfell Tower fire disaster in London. The fire safety review will commence from Monday, 19 June, and will be undertaken by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke with councillors and local residents at Leverton Gardens on the Lansdowne estate in Sharrow.
Sheffield’s muslim community came together for a peaceful rally in Barkers Pool at the weekend to condemn the recent terror attacks in Manchester and London. Abdul Basith reports for Sheffield Live!
In a tribute led by the Lord Mayor, Sheffield joined with people across the UK in observing one minute of silence for those who lost their lives in the 3 June terror attack in London. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
NHS workers, campaigners and union representatives travelled to London to join a protest march against austerity measures in the health service. Organisers said that “at least 250,000” people took part in the Save Our NHS march, which began in Tavistock Square and ended in Westminster. Protesters sought to draw attention to plans which could see cut see cut backs in nearly two thirds of hospital services in England. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Conservative MP John Redwood claimed that northerners are jealous of life in the “Mighty Capital”. John Redwood, made the comments at a closed door event when he was asked what he would do to redress the balance between London and the rest of England. We asked people in Sheffield what they thought.