Organisers of the Windrush Untold Stories exhibition in Brixton’s Windrush Square, which was vandalised overnight, today (3 July) called for a full police investigation.
The 20 portraits of Windrush Generation pioneers and descendants that make up the exhibition have been severely scratched around the eyes with a sharp object.
One has been spray-painted. It is possible that the spray can ceased to work after this first attack.
In a post on X/Twitter, Lambeth police said they are aware of criminal damage caused to the exhibition and are conducting a thorough investigation. They urged anyone with any information to contact their local policing team or call 101 and quote CAD 4126/03JUL25.
Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Lambeth’s council’s cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “We are deeply saddened that the Windrush Untold Stories exhibition has been vandalised, and strongly condemn anyone responsible. We will be reviewing CCTV and taking every step possible to hold those responsible to account.
“The exhibition and the events held in Lambeth to mark Windrush Day in June were a brilliant way of honouring and celebrating the significant contributions of the Windrush Generation and their descendants to British life.
“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.”
Among the images damaged is one of Clovis Salmon OBE – famed as Sam the Wheel of Railton Road and a pioneering documentary film maker – who passed away recently at the age of 98.
Also attacked was the image of Ros Griffiths, chair of the Friends of Windrush Square, and organiser of the exhibition.
She described the damage as “a disturbing act of racist desecration”.
Friends of Windrush Square have reported the incident to Lambeth police, and are urging a full investigation.
“It is heartbreaking, but we remain committed to protecting this exhibition and celebrating our history,” said Ros Griffiths.
She said the community-led outdoor exhibition was created to honour the history, legacy, and enduring contributions of the Windrush Generation to British society.
“The deliberate vandalism of this important cultural installation is 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.
“The damage appears to have been carried out intentionally, with the clear aim of causing offence, hurt, and division.
“This act has caused considerable distress to local residents, artists, volunteers, and project partners – many of whom are directly connected to the Windrush legacy.”
That a public celebration of the contributions and resilience of the Windrush Generation, whose story is central to the fabric of British life, 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,” Ros Griffiths said.
“The desecration of a public, commemorative exhibition of this nature raises wider questions about the protection of cultural spaces and the importance of confronting racism in all its forms.
“We call on Lambeth council, the Metropolitan Police, and the wider community to stand in solidarity with the Windrush Generation and demand accountability for this abhorrent act.”
Windrush Untold Stories was curated in collaboration with the Empathy Museum, Friends of Windrush Square, Photofusion, Born or Made, and Black Cultural Archives.
