As we look forward to commemorate the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush & this pioneering generation I am working with our #Lewisham MPs: Janet Daby MP, Ellie Reeves MP & Vicky Foxcroft MP to hold additional surgeries for those living in Lewisham. To book email Brenda.Dacres@lewisham.gov.uk with which date you’ll be attending ➡️ Lewisham Deptford- 3rd June, 10am-12pm –
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It was a pleasure to attend join The Museum of Slavery and Freedom (MōAaF) today for the launch of their map of Deptford’s links to Slavery and Freedom along with Cllr Obajimi Adefiranye, Sandra Adefiranye, Cllr Joan Millbank, Cllr Juliet Campbell, Mayoress of Lewisham: Dawn Atkinson, Christina Norman, Natasha Ricketts & many members of the community. The Museum of Slavery
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Windrush Day is a day to celebrate a generation of pioneers who left the homeland, their families, and their loved ones to come to what they considered the Mother Country. Believing it was their duty, they came here during the Second World War to assist in the war effort. They then returned with others to help rebuild this country –
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We last gathered together in 2017 at the unveiling of the plaque commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Lewisham And so much has happened since that time. We have seen an increase in racism and xenophobia in the UK. Reporting of hate crimes has increased. I am proud that I live in the borough of Lewisham where diversity
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The Windrush Generation as they have come to be known, in their Caribbean islands they were taught British history. They looked up to the Britain who they refered to as the ‘mother country’. The point I make is that they were brought up to ‘Be British’, there were part of the British Empire upon which the sun at that time
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October sees us in the UK celebrate Black History Month. For me it’s a time to reflect on Black History here in the UK which goes back centuries. It’s also a time where I also look to the future and the generations yet to come. My parents are part what we now call the Windrush Generations. They came to help
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We cannot afford not to speak out. Today, Saturday 9th June 2018, Lewisham Anti-Racist Group in conjunction with Lewisham Islamic Centre held a rally called Lewisham Together: United Against Islamophobia, Racism and Fascism. I was invited to speak at the rally, and agreed to because I believe that we have to stand, united against any form of racism and discrimination,
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Last week I met with Kimberly McIntosh, a journalist for gal-dem magazine. We spoke about my journey into politics and my priorities for Lewisham. You can read the full article by Kimberly below: Forty years since the Battle of Lewisham, that saw some 500 National Front (NF) supporters vastly outnumbered by counter-protesters show us what can be achieved when communities band together against racism. The
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As one of the New Cross Councillors, it was a real honour to speak on behalf of our community at the commemoration of the Battle of Lewisham. Forty years ago today, our community stood together against fascism and racism. The vile National Front were on the rise, and they had planned a march through Lewisham. They picked our community because
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2013 BAME AGM was held on Saturday 2nd November 2013, and I was elected Chair. The areas BAME members wanted to look were: What are the difference functions and Groups within the Constituency. How can we increase voter registration amongst Black, Asian & Minority Ethnics (BAME)? How can we encourage voting? What do we tell are Friends & Families about
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The world lost a bright light in Nelson Mandela. He was a man of dignity, peace and reconciliation. He was truly an inspirational elder statesman and an example to us all. During the past few weeks we have seen and heard many inspiration quotes and speeches he made, each in their own way inspires and speaks to our hearts. His
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Brenda Dacres 