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Hackney Council to Commemorate 75th Anniversary of the Windrush Arrival

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Hackney Council has today announced that it will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Windrush arrival with a year-long series of events, activities, exhibitions, workshops, storytelling sessions and more to honour contributions of the Windrush Generation in shaping Britain.

Background

The Windrush Generation refers to the group of people who immigrated to the United Kingdom from various Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1971. The term “Windrush” originates from the name of the ship HMT Empire Windrush, which arrived at Tilbury Docks, London, on 22 June 1948, carrying the first major wave of Caribbean immigrants.

The arrival of the Windrush marked a significant moment in British history. The British government had actively encouraged people from Commonwealth countries to come to the UK to help address post-war labour shortages and contribute to the country’s reconstruction efforts.

Hence, the Windrush Generation played a crucial role in rebuilding the UK after World War II across various sectors such as healthcare, transportation, construction and public services as many found work in industries such as nursing, the London transport system and manufacturing. They made significant contributions to British society and played an essential role in shaping the country’s cultural, social, and economic fabric.

Despite their significant contributions, the Windrush Generation and their descendants faced various challenges and injustices over the years. In 2018, the Windrush scandal came to light, highlighting the mistreatment and injustices faced by many of these individuals. The scandal involved wrongful detentions, deportations, denial of rights, and loss of access to healthcare, benefits, and other essential services faced by some members of the Windrush Generation due to changes in immigration policies and the lack of proper documentation.

Hackney council’s plans

Hackney Council, being the first UK council to pass a comprehensive Motion regarding the Windrush generation in 2018, remains committed to honoring and supporting the Windrush community through its Windrush Engagement Program. As part of this commitment, Hackney Council commissioned the fruit sculptures by Veronica Ryan and Thomas J Price’s “Warm Shores,” with support from Art Fund and additional funding from the Henry Moore Foundation and Freelands Foundation. The accompanying public program was facilitated by Create London.

As part of the 75th anniversary, along with celebratory events, Hackney plans to provide drop-in clinics for the Windrush compensation scheme, providing free and confidential advice to potential recipients affected by the Windrush scandal. There will also be a panel discussion featuring Amelia Gentleman, the author of The Windrush Betrayal, exploring life in the UK before and after the scandal.

Additional activities include a workshop on creating a Windrush-themed zine called “All the Generations,” as well as poetry and prose readings by the Afrikan Heritage Writers Group. The celebration will also feature various projects funded by the Windrush Microgrant scheme.

Moreover, a variety of resources from previous years, such as a free Windrush recipe book and Windrush stories podcasts, are available. To stay updated on the festivities happening within Hackney and beyond, individuals can refer to the Windrush 75 Events Calendar.

Councillor responses

Earlier this year, Cllr Carole Williams, the Cabinet Member for Employment, Human Resources and Equalities, and the Mayor of Hackney, sent a letter to the Home Office urging the government to reverse its hostile environment policies and conduct a public inquiry to learn from the Windrush scandal. Their aim is to prevent similar situations from arising in the future for other migrant communities.

In regards to Hackney’s plans, Cllr Williams has also emphasised the importance of recognising and honoring the contributions made by the Windrush generation and other migrant communities. She has expressed hope that these values will be embraced at a national level in the future.

Final thought

Hackney Council is demonstrating a commitment to addressing the injustices of the Windrush scandal. Providing both opportunities to celebrate and support people, Hackney Council’s plans are intending to positively impact the community.

The Windrush Generation and their descendants continue to play an important role in British society, enriching it with their cultural heritage, traditions, and contributions in various fields. Their experiences and struggles have raised awareness about the importance of recognizing the contributions of migrants and promoting inclusivity and equality for all in the UK.

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