London leaders have expressed admiration for the significant contributions made by the Windrush generation to the city on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, while emphasizing the

importance of addressing the scandal that led to the wrongful deportation of immigrants.

On Thursday, 75 years ago, the HMT Empire Windrush arrived in Tilbury, Essex, bringing the first major group of individuals from Caribbean nations to the UK. This event marked the beginning of a mass migration wave from Commonwealth countries to Britain between 1948 and 1973.

However, five years ago, the Home Office faced criticism for inadequate record-keeping and the destruction of landing cards belonging to Windrush migrants. As a result, at least 83 people who arrived before 1973 were mistakenly deported, and many others experienced hardships such as unemployment, denial of benefits, and limited healthcare access.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, acknowledged the significance of the 75th anniversary while also addressing the "disgraceful treatment" endured by some members of the Windrush generation. He emphasized the invaluable role these individuals and their descendants have played in shaping London's greatness, from their contributions to sectors like healthcare and transportation to their influence on activism and culture. However, Khan also criticized the government's hostile environment policies, which caused immense pain, and expressed disappointment with the delayed delivery of compensation, which further deepened the inflicted trauma and brought shame upon the nation.

Each London borough has organized events to mark the 75th anniversary of the ship's arrival. However, local authorities have raised concerns about the reported breakup of the unit responsible for Home Office reform after the Windrush scandal and the perceived difficulties in accessing the compensation scheme established in response to the crisis.

Hackney, with a population where around 8% is of Black Caribbean descent, is hosting drop-in advice clinics on the Windrush compensation scheme alongside its celebratory activities. Carole Williams, Hackney's Windrush Lead, expressed significant concerns about the Home Office scheme, noting that it should have provided hope and financial compensation for those affected. She highlighted the failures in effectively managing the compensation scheme, which has created a sense of distrust among those affected and the supporting groups.

Fitzroy Maynard, a resident of Hackney, shared his personal experience of becoming homeless due to his inability to prove his right to work. Maynard, who migrated from Antigua to the UK as a child in 1980, lost his caretaker job in 2007. While he received some money from the Home Office, he described dealing with the compensation program as an agonizing process. Maynard expressed frustration with the government's actions and emphasized the importance of recognizing the true impact of the Windrush scandal.

Newham has dedicated its town hall to Caribbean-themed celebrations throughout Saturday, honoring the legacy of the Windrush generation and all immigrants who have contributed to shaping London's identity. Rohit Dasgupta, the borough's deputy cabinet member for Social Justice, emphasized the need to recognize the significant contributions made by migrants and called for an end to the hostile environment policy implemented by the government.

In response, a spokesperson from the Home Office stated that the government is committed to honoring its Windrush commitments and providing support to those affected. They highlighted that over £72 million has already been paid or offered in compensation, and the scheme will remain open for as long as necessary. Photo by Wikimedia commons.