AS CLAIMS emerge that the Home Office destroyed thousands of landing cards documenting the arrival of windrush-era migrants, communities in Brixton are set to gather in Windrush Square this Friday (Apr 20) in solidarity with those threatened with deportation, sacking and the removal of healthcare as result of the governments "hostile environment" strategy.
Amber Rudd's apology and promise to devote resources to resolve cases represents a significant climbdown. However growing awareness of the immense suffering already caused means pressure is building for the government to reverse its policy targeting undocumented migrants.
Weyman Bennett, Stand Up To Racism Co-Convenor said: "My family came with the Windrush. They worked all their lives in the NHS and in public services, only for their generation to be treated with disgraceful inhumanity.
"I hold Theresa May personally responsible for the actions of the Home Office and her Government. She devised this policy for simple political gain in an attempt to outflank UKIP to the right. Ony naked racism can explain this: It is Powellism without Powell and we must stand in unity now as we did 50 years ago"
Sabby Dhalu, Stand Up To Racism Co-Convenor commented: "It is impossible to measure the colossal contribution of the Windrush generation to our lives and it is impossible to measure the outrage at their treatment by this government.
"This scandal has lifted the lid on a deliberate government policy aimed at causing misery for those wanting to build a life in this country.
"An apology is not enough. The hostile environment strategy must be reversed and its victims compensated. We need an immigration policy which treats migrants and refugees as human beings, not targets for racist political posturing."
See below for details on the rally:
Solidarity with the Windrush generation and their families
Friday 20 April 5pm-7pm
Windrush Square, Brixton SW2 1EF
https://www.facebook.com/events/319112138614618
Read every story in our hardcopy newspaper for free by downloading the app.