This week marks the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush, formerly known as MV Monte Rosa arriving at Tilbury Docks in Essex carrying the first Caribbean migrants.It arrived at Tilbury Docks on the 21st June 1948 and the 492 Caribbean migrants disembarked today, 22nd June 1948 and marked a seminal moment in Britain’s history and has come to stand for the rich diversity of this nation.
Many people from British Commonwealth countries travelled to the UK between 1948 and 1971, encouraged by the 1948 British Nationality Act that granted citizenship and right of abode to all members of the British Empire.
Many of those who left sunnier climes were ex-servicemen who fought with the UK in the Second World War and had answered the British Government's call to help rebuild post war damaged Britain Their hard work and skills would help bolster the economy, fill labour shortages and help establish our National Health Service.Their descendants have continued to enrich social, economic, political and religious life. It is estimated that around 500,000 people living in the UK are part of the Windrush Generation, who arrived between 1948 and 1971.
Many encountered overt racism, discrimination, and rejection lack of acknowledgement of their professional skills and very different living conditions. The climate of Britain was not ready to embrace anyone who was different. "The Other" This was the era of "Sorry no coloured, No Irish, or dogs" The harrowing stories of being spat at, excluded from the mainstream, not accepted, not wanted, laughed at physically and emotionally abused. The stories told are horrific.Yet, despite all this they persevered. Many were granted the right to settle in the UK by the British Nationality Act 1948. Those legal rights meant that those migrated neither needed, nor were given documents upon entry to the UK.
After a successful campaign led by Patrick Vernon, Windrush Day was introduced in June 2018 in the wake the Windrush scandal when many of those invited to Britain suddenly found themselves on the wrong side of immigration laws that, unbeknown to them, had changed around them and many people from this generation were detained and deported illegally, some were denied health care and benefits and some people lost their homes. The documentation proving their status was destroyed by the same government that invited them here in the first place.
We mark this day to celebrate British Caribbean communities and acknowledge the sacrifices and amazing contributions the Windrush generation and their descendants, and others who have arrived from elsewhere - have made to British society. It is a major national moment to come together and celebrate this shared history, delving into the past and celebrating the present and future.
There were also 66 Polish refugees on board the Empire Windrush on its now historic passage from the Caribbean to England. In the summer of 1943, some 1400 Poles, mostly women and children, amongst the thousands displaced from Poland by Soviet aggressions during World War II, were transported to Colonia Santa Rosa, a refugee village near the city of León, Mexico. Four governments – Polish, Mexican, British and American – had taken part in the negotiation of their safe haven. The group remained at Santa Maria beyond the end of the war, until, on the 27th of March, 1947,Britain passed the Polish Resettlement Act. This legislation granted Polish troops who’d contributed to the Allied war effort permanent stay and assistance to integrate in Britain. Additionally, arrangements were made to bring their dependents in exile throughout the world to join them. In from every continent save North America and Antarctica sailed qualified displaced persons. After the Empire Windrush departed Kingston, Jamaica, it detoured to Tampico, a port on the coast of Mexico, to collect the Polish passengers. All except one were wives and children of Polish military men who had fought alongside the Allies against Nazi Germany.The Empire Windrush was one of over 50 ships that transported Polish displaced persons from all over the world to the UK.
The 75th anniversary of the Empire Windrush's arrival in Britain from the Caribbean is being marked across the country - as campaigners say their battle for "justice" continues. The King was among those taking part in dozens of events on Thursday when he attended a service in Windsor after describing the Windrush generation's legacy as "profound and permanent". Events are also being held at London's Southwark Cathedral and the Port of Tilbury, Essex, where the ship docked on 22 June 1948,other events include exhibitions at museums across the UK and a carnival parade through the streets of Brixton in south London, while the Windrush flag is also being flown at major landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament.
We should not forget the infamous words uttered by Theresa May, who then as home secretary in 2012 said “The aim is to create, here in Britain, a really hostile environment for illegal immigrants.”
Under racist immigration polices introduced by Theresa May then and in 2014, many of the children of the Windrush migrants found themselves hounded by the government. Further changes to already racist immigration laws in 2012 and 2014 meant migrants could be forced to prove they have the right to be here.Although many people had lived and worked in Britain for most of their lives, law changes required them to have official documents to have access to healthcare.This "hostile" immigration policy devised by Theresa May during her time as Home Secretary has been regarded as "almost like Nazi Germany" by some ministers.
In 2018 it emerged that many who made legitimate journeys to Britain had been wrongly detained and deported, despite having the right to live in the UK. Many lost homes and jobs and were denied access to healthcare and benefits. Some of those deported later died before they were able to return to Britain.
The scandal led to the resignation of then-Home Secretary Amber Rudd, and prompted a wider debate about British immigration and deportation policy.This gross injustice has affected many lives, highlighting the systemic racism that exists in Britain. Its impact is still being felt today.
Theresa May later apologised and an inquiry led to the establishment of a compensation scheme for victims. However, the government has been criticised for being slow to pay out, amid claims the process places an unfair burden of proof on claimants.
Earlier this year, Human Rights Watch called for the Home Office to hand over control of the "hostile" scheme to an independent body instead. Labour MP Dawn Butler said on Thursday that many were still "in limbo" and accused ministers of not caring about the fate of victims. She said: "I think the government strategy is to wait for people to die. I think they want people to die.We're talking about pensioners, in their 70s and 80s, waiting to be compensated for the life that was taken away from them - and this government is dragging their feet."
Despite the scheme being launched five years ago, as of January 2023 only 12.8% of the 11,500 eligible claimants of the Windrush Compensation Scheme has received compensation.The Home Office said it remains “absolutely committed to righting the wrongs of the Windrush scandal” but recognised there is “more to do” when it comes to the compensation scheme. Ms Braverman said the scheme had been simplified. She also maintained it should be kept under the Home Office remit, despite calls to have it handled independently due to a belief there remains a lack of faith in the department among victims of the scandal,as in the meantime people have died without receiving a penny.
The very week of the 75th year anniversary, Suella Braverman refused to implement all recommendations of an independent review into the government’s wrongdoing. Many of the Windrush generation have either passed or are nearing the end of their lives. It’s government strategy to wait out the victims, so as not to make good on their promise to compensate This is utterly scandulous,.
We're seeing history repeating itself. The government is again scapegoating migrants who have played a crucial part in building this country. We've seen the government create a floating prison for victims of torture and war, we've seen horrific rhetoric and an expansion of the hostile environment.https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/08/tory-plan-house-asylum-seekers-barges-dickensian
The government’s commitment to real change after the Windrush scandal has been shown to be lots of empty promises but no action.To our horror the government continues to break their promise of change. Suella Braverman has just scrapped the unit responsible for reforming the Home Office after the Windrush scandal with the Home Secrrtary saying '"it is time to move on!.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jun/19/unit-reforming-home-office-windrush-scandal-being-disbanded
The government has also just announced there is a new coin to commemorate the Windrush generation. The introduction of a new coin does not do justice to the suffering it has caused.The hostile environment continues to affect many people in the UK, and people in all sectors of society are still made to do the job of border guards. The Home Office must be held accountable for its mistakes and give justice to those bearing the brunt of those mistakes.
This country owes a huge debt to the Windrush generation. The injustices that the Windrush generation and their families have faced have not gone away, as they struggle to secure their status and access the compensation they deserve. The Home Office must stop furthering the pain of victims of the Windrush scandal. If the Government were sincere in their apology, it’s time for the hostile environment to come to an end and they compensate victims fairly.
We should remind ourselves that a lot of the government's policies on immigration/ asylum/ right to stay isn't driven by actual concrete consequences. It's driven by pandering to anti immigrant / racist views. Britain can only atone for damage caused by adopting policies exactly opposite to those currently in place, welcoming the migrants who come to our country with open arms and not treat them as second-class citizens.
On the 75th anniversary of Windrush as we celebrate and acknowledge the sacrifices and amazing contributions the Windrush generation and their descendants have made to British society. It is a major national moment to come together and celebrate this shared history, delving into the past and celebrating the present and future. but we must also remember their struggle.
Today is both a celebration and a sobering reminder that here in the UK, far too many people’s lives are still blighted by discrimination, inequality and injustice. As we honour the legacy of the Windrush generation, we owe it to them to stand up to bigotry, hate and injustice.Lets continue to show our gratitude and respect to the people of Windrush, who did nothing wrong and did not deserve the treatment experienced or continue to endure. Categorised as illegal immigrants, they've suffered years of hardship at the hands of our government. They must be compensated. It is also more than time that the Conservatives’ cruel and discriminatory Hostile Environment comes to an end too,
