Families criticize Nottingham officials for failing to progress on a promised memorial for attack victims.
Last March, the city council said they’d contact families. They wanted to discuss a permanent memorial. Grace O’Malley-Kumar’s family hasn’t heard anything since an apology.
Staff accessed attack details improperly. No memorial progress exists. Grace’s father, Dr. Kumar, barely recalls any council contact. He wants a memorial, but not for generic crime victims.
He specifically wants one for Grace, Barney, and Ian. These victims deserve separate respect and recognition. A single memorial is disrespectful.
Police liaisons have family contact information. They also received an apology letter from the council leader. The council’s data breach caused the letter. That letter represents their only contact with the leader. Nottingham politicians have done nothing. Dr. Kumar called their actions shameful.
A student hockey match proved successful. It honored Grace with the “Grace O’Malley Kumar cup.” Official bodies failed to lead, which is disgraceful.
Nottingham City Council wanted victim memorials in March 2024. A spokesperson said they waited for the right time to ask families. They planned to collect tributes. They spoke of organizing a lasting memorial.
The council claimed they’d write the families. Dr. Kumar claims he received no letter.
On February 11, the council issued a statement. They said the city would never forget the June 2023 attacks. People gathered to remember victims.
Councilor Khan wrote to the families in June. She outlined plans for a memorial tree. It would be in the new Green Heart park. It would honor people lost in tragic events.
The council understands the families experiences great difficulty. They want to collaborate on a memorial. They will reach out again before the second anniversary.
The flowers were kept by the council. The council plans to use them for compost. This will be for the proposed memorial tree.
Dr. Kumar asks people to do their jobs properly. They don’t seek special treatment. They just want basic competence.
The call for a memorial follows a report. The report concerned Valdo Calocane’s mental health treatment.
Victim’s families are pushing for accountability. They want managers held accountable. They seek accountability for mistakes. A meeting occurred at Downing Street on February 12.