Windrush Day takes place on 22 June - A special day to remember when around 500 migrants from the Caribbean arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex in 1948.
It's been more than 70 years since the Empire Windrush ship sailed to Britain, and now an estimated 500,000 people live in the UK who arrived between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries.
Many of them have experienced racism and discrimination. Still, their positive contributions are a testament to their resilience and fortitude.
Luton Cllr Jacqui Burnett said: "It is worth remembering that our NHS would not have survived without the Windrush Generation and its descendants.”
Luton North MP Sarah Owen said, “This year more than ever we’ve rightly paid tribute to NHS workers from home and abroad. I’ve applied for a parliamentary debate on the fantastic contribution of overseas workers to the NHS and will continue pushing this government to stop penalising people who come to this country to care for our sick, elderly and vulnerable.”
After raising the Windrush flag over the Town Hall on 22 June, in the Annual Civic Ceremony organised by African Caribbean Community Development Forum (ACCDF), Pas Vincent Cox of The New Testament Church of God said, “Thirteen days after that first Windrush arrival, the NHS was founded. My own parents worked in the NHS and London transport for over 40 years each. I am a legacy of Windrush. Despite facing overt and covert racism, oppression and stereotyping the Windrush legacy has become an integral part of British society, from culture to politics, commerce to sport and religion and the sciences.”
He concluded “Here in Luton, I want to encourage us to build on the Windrush legacy by developing our community bond, educational, economic & political strength and our civic duties. We are great; we are leaders. Let us lead.”
Pas Vincent Cox is also co-leading with other Church leaders in Luton an Interdenominational Commission on Racial Justice under the banner of Churches Together in Luton.
From L to R: Cllr Jacqui Burnette, Lorna Markland Founder of African Caribbean Community Development Forum (ACCDF), Luton, Pas Vincent Cox of The New Testament Church of God, Rhythm & Vibe Band