Pub bombings
Birmingham pub bombings: victims to be given Freedom of the City
This comes ahead of a pre-inquest hearing on 28 November into the deaths of people killed when the IRA detonated bombs in two pubs: the Tavern In The Town and the Mulberry Bush.
Suspects of the bombings, known as the Birmingham Six, were arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment, but were released in 1991 after their convictions were quashed by a Court of Appeal.
‘Never be forgotten’
Councillors John Clancy, Robert Alden and Jon Hunt said in a joint statement: “As a mark of respect we are now beginning the process of posthumously awarding the Freedom of the City to the 21 innocent victims of the bombings at the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town. They will never be forgotten.
“The horrific events of 21 November 1974 cast a long shadow in Birmingham as our city came under attack. The victims of the bombings were sons and daughters of our city and our region, tragically cut down on that horrific night.”
Two-thirds of councillors will have to vote in favour of awarding the Freedom of the City to the victims before it can be awarded.
Memorial service
The Justice For The 21 campaign group said on its website: “We would like to thank all those who have supported our campaign across the years. Without you, our campaign would not be where it is today.”
A memorial service will take place this evening at Birmingham’s St Philip’s Cathedral at 5:45pm.
A spokesperson from the campaign group was not available for comment.
