They say that the light is darkest just before the dawn.

The families, friends and supporters of those unlawfully killed at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough ground on 15 April 1989, spent nearly three decades in the darkness.

Year after year, they fought to expose the truth about what happened on that dreadful day and to hold to account those responsible for the deaths and injuries of their loved ones.

For so long, a wall of lies was built around what happened at Hillsborough. It saw Liverpool fans blamed for the events of that fateful day, aided and abetted by the vicious Murdoch press.

Today, finally, the last vestiges of this wall came crashing down.

Today, the truth triumphed. A jury in a court of law has said “yes, your loved ones were unlawfully killed”. For the families this means so much.

This is a great day for the Hillsborough families – and a great day for justice.

As Mayor of Liverpool, I am proud to represent a city that knows the meaning of the words solidarity, loyalty, compassion, courage and resilience.

The Hillsborough families are the best of Liverpool.

So many people have been touched by their struggle over nearly three decades. They are an example to everyone who seeks out truth and justice.

We now await the outcome of the investigations into the actions of the police and others so that we can now hold to account those really responsible for the deaths of the 96.

Tomorrow we are holding a commemorative event outside St. George’s Hall in the city so we can once again stand together as a city and show the world the overwhelming spirit of comradeship that exists in this city.

Of course, as well as the 96 people killed at the Hillsborough disaster, nearly 800 others were injured. It’s no exaggeration to say there can’t be many families across Liverpool without a friend or relative who was there that day.

It has meant that the whole city has helped keep the flame of their memory alive all these years – and why we all remain solidly behind the families and campaigners to this day.

Joe Anderson is Mayor of Liverpool