Latest news with #WindrushUntoldStories
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
London artworks celebrating Windrush generation restored after vandalism
Portraits celebrating the Windrush generation in the heart of Brixton have been restored after a vandalism attack led to a global outpouring of support. The Windrush Untold Stories exhibition, displayed in Windrush Square, features 20 portraits and recollections of people who arrived in the UK from the Caribbean in the postwar era. The exhibition, a joint project involving community groups, social enterprises and creatives, was launched at the Big Caribbean Lunch event celebrating Windrush Day on 22 June in Lambeth. But, in the early hours of 3 July, the portraits were slashed and daubed with green paint. News of the attack led to community groups involved in the exhibition receiving support from all over the world, said Ros Griffiths, the chair of Friends of Windrush Square, with about £5,000 donated to an online fundraiser at GoFundMe in a week. The fundraiser has not yet met the £15,000 target, which meant the restoration work was only possible with a loan, Griffiths said, but organisers were keen to see the exhibition restored quickly, and would keep the fundraiser open. Griffiths added: 'Even though we did not achieve our target, we still went ahead and restored the portraits on credit because the stories couldn't wait. But we still ask everyone to continue to support the campaign to reach our goal, because every contribution helps to honour the legacy of our generation with the dignity and visibility it deserves. 'The public's response was overwhelming. The exhibition went viral. Messages of solidarity poured in from across the UK and beyond, as far away as Tokyo, any way they could connect with us, they did – people who had never set foot in Brixton. This is a testament of power of truth, visibility and collective pride.' The exhibition, developed with groups including Friends of Windrush Square, Empathy Museum, Black Cultural Archives, Photofusion and Born or Made, had been due to end on 10 July, but has now been extended for another fortnight, with talks under way to move it to the Home Office. The equalities minister, Seema Malhotra, visited the scene this week. The exhibition features a portrait of Clovis Samuel, one of the oldest members of the Windrush generation, who died recently, which gave this year's Windrush Day celebrations an added poignancy. In a post on GoFundMe, Ed Errington, of Empathy Museum, said: 'This exhibition is more than just images. It's a proud and public celebration of the Windrush generation and their descendants – a space for collective memory, recognition, and resilience.' The Metropolitan police said they arrested a 24-year-old man on Saturday 5 July, on suspicion of vandalism, and that he was taken to hospital due to concerns for his welfare. He was further arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage and possessing articles with intent to destroy or damage property, although officers added that 'based on additional inquiries', they did not believe the incident is racially motivated, but are continuing to 'explore all possible motives.'
Metro
06-07-2025
- Metro
Man arrested after Windrush exhibition vandalised in south London
Police have said the vandalism of an exhibition honouring the Windrush generation is 'not a hate crime' after arresting a suspect. Officers were called to reports of vandalism in Brixton, south London at 6.00am on Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said. As many as 20 photographs of members from the Windrush generation had been sprayed with paint and attacked with a sharp object. A 24-year-old man was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of vandalism, the force said. He was taken to a police station where he remains in custody. According to the Brixton Blog, most of the images were gouged around the eyes, leaving 'irreparable damage'. Based on investigations carried out so far, the incident is not being treated as a hate crime, the Met said, adding that further enquiries will take place to establish the circumstances. Superintendent Gabriel Cameron, who leads policing in Brixton, said: 'We understand that those in the community will feel distressed about vandalism to the Windrush exhibition in Brixton. 'We believe that this was not a hate crime, and I want to reassure anyone with concerns, that a man has now been arrested. 'Local neighbourhood officers have been in contact with the organiser of the exhibition, and remain in the area to respond to any questions or worries that people may have.' A fundraising page has been set up to restore the exhibition, which has so far raised more than £2,000. The Windrush scandal involved the wrongful detention, denial of rights, and deportation of legal UK residents, mainly Caribbean immigrants who arrived between 1948 and 1971. Due to a lack of official documentation and hostile immigration policies, many faced loss of jobs, housing, and healthcare, despite having lived in the UK for decades. Lambeth's council's cabinet member for stronger communities, Donatus Anyanwu said before the arrest:'We are deeply saddened that the Windrush Untold Stories exhibition has been vandalised, and strongly condemn anyone responsible. 'The exhibition and the events held in Lambeth to mark Windrush Day in June were a brilliant way of honouring and celebrating the significant contributions of the Windrush Generation and their descendants to British life. 'This act of vandalism sours the community spirit and sense of unity that we've built, but we won't let an act of criminality derail our commitment to celebrating our diversity, or our commitment to making Lambeth a borough of equity and justice.' MORE: 'Nightclub predator' rapist joked about videos of his attacks in WhatsApp group MORE: Man caught hurling his elderly dog over a fence and onto concrete path MORE: Paramedics 'triage overheating passengers' on stuck train in more chaos for Eurostar
