A petition has been launched calling for the BBC to not turn the Grenfell Tower fire into a TV drama - claiming "t ragedy isn't entertainment." So far, 1,905 people have signed the petition, with the current goal set at 2,500 signatures o n Change.org.
Creator of the petition, Cecilia Corzo, explains: "We don’t want the BBC to make a drama about the Grenfell fire tragedy. It has been less than six years since the fire that took 72 innocent lives and left hundreds more people displaced grieving without any justice.
"Many people are still suffering from PTSD and many cannot even return to their old neighbourhood because of the trauma they experienced that night. There are still survivors waiting for a permanent home.
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"In spite of all of this, the BBC has decided that they wish to recreate the brutal events for their own entertainment purposes, claiming under the guise that they will spread awareness with the permission of the residents and survivors." She added.
"I am one of these residents of Lancaster West Estate and I have never been contacted by the BBC, nor did they respect the wishes of the survivors who *had* been contacted a few years ago and were deeply offended by the proposal of such a drama show. However the BBC believes they are above respecting the actual community affected in search of gaining views through sensationalism."
In the early hours of the morning of June 14 in 2017, a major fire broke out at Grenfell Tower block on Latimer Road, North Kensington. As many as 72 people lost their lives. Six years on, thousands of people are still living in unsafe buildings, families are still waiting to the rehoused and fire service funding has been cut.
Ms Corzo continued: "It makes me sick to my stomach that the most disturbing and traumatic night of our lives will be made into a tv show that people across the country will watch from the comforts of their homes with a cup of tea. This is not a fictional story, these are real events affecting real people.
"If the BBC had wanted to do the community justice they would air instead a documentary about the fire, as there have been many that have been made with the right intentions that shine a light on the governments austerity and carelessness towards people in social housing.
"This is just another example of higher powers taking a marginalised community's autonomy away from them, masquerading as aiding their cause." She wrote. "I am demanding that the BBC stops making the Grenfell fire TV Drama.
"I demand that they do not add more trauma to the people who are still mourning the loss of their loved ones. Please join me by signing this petition and spreading the word. We should be able to have a say in a broadcasting network that is funded by the people and can do this with your help. Thank you."
In the 'reasons for signing' section of the petition, one person called Diana wrote: "It’s still too fresh in people’s minds plus no one has claimed responsibility for this tragedy. Why should the BBC make millions from it."
Karen put: "Disrespectful and ghoulish." Ralph said: "I find it disgusting that anyone would do such a project." Stephanie told others: "I lost people I knew and loved in that tower we shouldn't have to relive it."
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