Citizens Working Together for Change (Edexcel GCSE Citizenship Studies): Revision Note

The Hillsborough Campaign Group

• Citizens can hold those in power to account

  • Even when they face strong institutions like the police and state

Background to the injustice

• In 1989, 97 Liverpool football supporters died in the Hillsborough disaster

  • A fatal crowd crush occurred during an FA Cup semi-final

• Victims and their families were wrongly blamed for the disaster

  • Some media reports and official statements claimed fans were responsible

  • This led to a long-running injustice

    • Families were denied truth, accountability and justice

How citizens worked together

• The Hillsborough Campaign was led by bereaved families and supporters

  • They worked together with campaigners, lawyers and journalists

• They campaigned consistently over many years, ensuring the voices of victims' families were heard

  • Marches, memorials and public events were organised to keep the issue visible

  • They used the media to challenge false narratives

    • Most specifically, they campaigned against inaccurate reporting, particularly by some newspapers

    • They demanded truth and accountability, focused on justice for victims rather than blame of supporters

    • They exposed failures by the police and authorities

  • They lobbied politicians and public bodies and took legal action

    • MPs and governments were put under pressure to reopen investigations, such as inquests and for an independent review

Impact on public policy and law

• The campaign group's persistence led to the formation of the Hillsborough Independent Panel in 2012

  • The panel revealed evidence of cover-ups and institutional failings which led to new inquests in 2016

  • The jury concluded the victims were unlawfully killed and fans were not to blame

• They influenced debate on public accountability and justice

  • Their campaign contributed to calls for a Hillsborough Law which would

    • Create a legal duty of candour that would require public authorities, such as the police and public bodies, to be honest and transparent

    • Prevent cover-ups and the withholding of evidence, ensuring families receive the truth more quickly

    • Give victims’ families greater support and fairness during inquests and investigations

• The campaign group helped to change attitudes towards victims of public disasters, including greater scrutiny of police conduct and media responsibility

The Where’s Our Bridge? campaign

• The market town of Faversham in Kent has an old swing bridge that connects one side of the town to the other that has been decaying for many years

  • Access to the tidal basin is blocked, limiting local boats, businesses, and community use of the creek

• Local residents and organisations wanted the bridge restored by its owner, Peel Ports, as a working crossing with sluice gates

  • The creek and basin could be used for recreation, business and community life

• The campaign included local citizens, community activists, and groups such as:

  • Faversham Creek Trust

  • Faversham Town Council

  • The Faversham Society

  • Support from local councillors and MPs

• This was citizens acting together, not led by a political party, showing civic engagement at the local level

How citizens worked together

• Rallied community support

  • Residents attended meetings, events, and workshops to push for bridge restoration

• Raised funds

  • Local people and groups raised £125,000 in community fundraising for restoration plans

• Public meetings and consultations

  • Held public meetings (for example at St Mary of Charity Church) with local leaders to discuss plans and commitments

• Petitions

  • A petition with over 1,500 signatures was delivered to the Department for Transport calling for action

• Lobbying local authorities

  • Campaigners met Kent County Council leaders, MPs and local representatives to push for official commitments

• Community engagement

  • Posters, banners and leaflets helped raise awareness across the town, increasing public interest and support

How they tried to resolve the issue

• Collaborated with local institutions

  • Campaigners worked with town and county councils, MPs and heritage groups to build a case for restoring the bridge

• Legal and planning work

  • The group and councils sought legal advice to clarify who owns and has the duty to maintain the bridge

• Communication with local and national government and the bridge owner

  • Petition and meetings with the Department for Transport aimed to get government powers used to compel the owner to carry out maintenance and, preferably, replace the bridge

Challenges faced

• Funding and cost increases

  • The estimated cost to repair or replace the bridge rose over time, making progress difficult

• Complex ownership and responsibility

  • Uncertainty over whether Kent County Council or Peel Ports was responsible slowed action

• Government delays

  • The Department for Transport has been slow to act despite petitions and lobbying