Portraits honouring Windrush generation vandalised
Ros Griffiths, Chair of the Friends of Windrush SquareAn exhibition in south London aimed at honouring the history, legacy and contribution of the Windrush generation to British society has been vandalised.
Portraits featured in the Windrush Untold Stories exhibition, currently installed in Windrush Square in Brixton, were damaged earlier on Thursday.
Friends of Windrush Square said the "deliberate vandalism" was "not only an attack on public art but a blatant act of racial hatred directed at a community that has given so much to the life and spirit of the UK", although the BBC understands the incident may be mental health-related.
The Met Police said officers spoke to a man but no arrests were made and that its inquiries were continuing.
Police were called just after 06:00 BST to reports of vandalism.
Ros Griffiths, Chair of the Friends of Windrush SquareThe exhibition features 20 portraits and first-hand accounts of those who arrived in the UK from the Caribbean between the late 1940s and 1970s.
Friends of Windrush Square said the vandalism had caused "considerable distress" to local residents, artists, volunteers and project partners, "many of whom are directly connected to the Windrush legacy".
Ros Griffiths, chair of Friends of Windrush Square, said: "This is a deeply upsetting and shocking act of racial disrespect.
"Windrush Untold Stories was created to celebrate the contributions and resilience of the Windrush generation, whose story is central to the fabric of British life.
"That it should be targeted in such a hateful way is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges we face in building an inclusive and respectful society."
The Met added local neighbourhood officers had been in contact with the organiser of the exhibition and were providing reassurance to the community.
Councillor Donatus Anyanwu said: "We are deeply saddened that the Windrush Untold Stories exhibition has been vandalised, and strongly condemn anyone responsible.
"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."
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