On Windrush Day, Manchester City Council is reflecting on the role it can play to address the injustices endured by this community.
On Windrush Day, Manchester City Council is reflecting on the role it can play to address the injustices endured by this community.
As one of the most deplorable episodes in recent history, the Council is committed entirely to supporting the people who faced discrimination and hardship due to the Windrush scandal.
Manchester is one of the most diverse cities in the country and members of the Council are proud to embrace every single person who calls it home.
Since the revelations of Windrush were brought to light, and the impact of the Home Office’s ‘hostile environment’ became clear, the Council has worked to help wherever it can. Engagement with the Windrush community living in Manchester began early on, and support was made available to them – such as Council tax relief – as soon as this option became available.
Education has also been a key pillar of our work to ensure that anyone that has been affected by this scandal had the tools at their disposal to achieve a degree of justice.
The Council has developed a close relationship with the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN), helping set up a health walk and a festival in both 2018 and 2019, and then an online event in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year, CAHN will be hosting an online event on Saturday, 26 June, highlighting the contributions of cultures which make up our shared heritage.
This event will include guest speakers, poetry recitations, musical performances and art exhibitions. (See notes to editors for details).
Manchester Central Library has also played an important role in remembering the Windrush generation, holding in June 2018 an ‘Empire Windrush 70th Anniversary Celebration Event’. This was an exhibition of material from collections in the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre and Manchester City Council Archives.
Manchester City Council will continue to build on the progress made over previous years as it works towards creating a prosperous and welcoming community throughout Manchester.
Councillor Luthfur Rahman OBE, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said: “The Windrush scandal was a deeply shameful moment in our history and must never be repeated. In Manchester we pride ourselves on welcoming people of all nationalities, races and backgrounds. No matter what has happened in the past I want people here to know that there is a positive future ahead, one where every person’s contribution to society is valued.
“We will continue to try and undo the damage of past policies and ensure that nationality or race will never be a barrier for someone living in Manchester.”
For more information on CAHN and this year's online festival, visit www.cahn.org.uk
For resources and information on Windrush Day, visit www.windrushday.org.uk