Having heard many of these experiences from families that I have assisted over the past 2 years, this sent a chill down my spine, to actually see the dramatization of the governmental destruction of Anthony Bryan's life.
There was a clearly lack of humanity and basic common sense. How on earth can someone be in the UK for 50 years having been to school, worked making national insurance and tax contributions, have children and also grand children, for which the Home Office arrogantly challenged their paternity.
Arriving in the UK at the age of 8, you would immediately have to see a Doctor which validated his arrival in the country.
However, then main point for me is that having being born in Jamaica in 1957, it is contended that he is actually British as Jamaica was a colony at the time.
What I witnessed was the destruction of a family, loss of employment, loss of family home, loss of dignity and self respect, severe mental trauma, loss of benefits and loss of basic human rights, for starters.
When he thought he could visit his Mother in Jamaica he was denied this but policies that were inhumane.
It is interesting that this really commenced in 2007, when the then Government arrange memorandum of understandings with Islands such as Jamaica in order to ensure the ease of deportations. An actual document that both Governments do not want to make public.
This was then exacerbated in 2012.
Clearly successive governments are at fault in my view and despite the contribution of the Windrush Generation, it has not been appreciated. When Anthony explained his journey to the UK, no alarm bells rang with the immigration officials.
Is it the case that they considered black people to be liars. This man was treated like a criminal, which is totally wrong.
I have personally supported many families, however, visualising it leaves a sour taste.
No amount of compensation will replace the hurt. loss and humiliation that families have suffered. At the end of the programme, an announcement was made regarding the Windrush Compensation team, hence, my question what about status also.
If you do not have a British Passport do come forward; The Windrush Movement (UK) and the Windrush National Organising Group Members will assist you with both status and compensation issues.
Please email us @ [email protected].
Bishop Dr. Desmond Jaddoo
Chair Windrush Movement (UK) & WNOG Member
There was a clearly lack of humanity and basic common sense. How on earth can someone be in the UK for 50 years having been to school, worked making national insurance and tax contributions, have children and also grand children, for which the Home Office arrogantly challenged their paternity.
Arriving in the UK at the age of 8, you would immediately have to see a Doctor which validated his arrival in the country.
However, then main point for me is that having being born in Jamaica in 1957, it is contended that he is actually British as Jamaica was a colony at the time.
What I witnessed was the destruction of a family, loss of employment, loss of family home, loss of dignity and self respect, severe mental trauma, loss of benefits and loss of basic human rights, for starters.
When he thought he could visit his Mother in Jamaica he was denied this but policies that were inhumane.
It is interesting that this really commenced in 2007, when the then Government arrange memorandum of understandings with Islands such as Jamaica in order to ensure the ease of deportations. An actual document that both Governments do not want to make public.
This was then exacerbated in 2012.
Clearly successive governments are at fault in my view and despite the contribution of the Windrush Generation, it has not been appreciated. When Anthony explained his journey to the UK, no alarm bells rang with the immigration officials.
Is it the case that they considered black people to be liars. This man was treated like a criminal, which is totally wrong.
I have personally supported many families, however, visualising it leaves a sour taste.
No amount of compensation will replace the hurt. loss and humiliation that families have suffered. At the end of the programme, an announcement was made regarding the Windrush Compensation team, hence, my question what about status also.
If you do not have a British Passport do come forward; The Windrush Movement (UK) and the Windrush National Organising Group Members will assist you with both status and compensation issues.
Please email us @ [email protected].
Bishop Dr. Desmond Jaddoo
Chair Windrush Movement (UK) & WNOG Member