Immigration
Protesters challenging Rwanda plan arrested outside Home Office immigration centre in Solihull
Police officers arrested 13 protesters following a demonstration at a Home Office immigration centre in Solihull yesterday evening. The group were apprehended just after 9pm on Monday (April 29), after preventing access to Sandford House, where they had spent most of the day in support of 5 asylum seekers who had reportedly been detained by authorities in…
Birmingham activist returns Empire Medal over treatment of refugees and free school meals
A Birmingham social work activist has returned his British Empire Medal in protest over “Labour’s refusal to commit to free school meals and the Tories removal of children’s murals” at an asylum centre. Eddie O’Hara was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours in 2021 for his charity work and for…
Brummie women distribute toys to young earthquake victims in Turkey to mark Eid festivities
A group of women from Birmingham have visited Türkiye this week to help child refugees following the devastating earthquake in the region earlier this year. The delegation fundraised thousands of pounds in Birmingham before taking the donations directly to displaced families living in refugee camps in the Turkish south-central city of Gaziantep, where they distributed…
Windrush 75th anniversary celebrated with events announced across the Midlands
The Midlands region is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush into Tilbury Docks with a series of events spread across the summer. The events to mark the milestone include dance and music workshops, history talks, art exhibitions, storytelling sessions and performances at various venues.
Celebrated photographer Vanley Burke to give Windrush 75 talk at Black Country Living Museum
Respected Birmingham photographer Vanley Burke is due to give a talk this week as part of events to mark Windrush 75. The free ‘in conversation’ session will take place at The Black Country Living Museum on Thursday 22 June at 2pm to celebrate the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush arriving in Britain in June 1948.
Deaf Birmingham artist brings radical theatre performance exploring racism and ableism to city’s Rep theatre
A deaf performer from Birmingham is bringing his successful show exploring themes of ableism and racism to his home city this weekend. Starring talented Brummie actor, artist and comedian Rinkoo Barpaga, audiences will join him in his journey through adolescence as he challenges perceptions of the deaf community.
Birmingham Pride embraces greater inclusivity as migrant communities feel “safe and welcome”
Thousands of people descended on Birmingham city centre this Bank Holiday weekend to attend one of the country’s biggest LGBTQ+ festivals, with a special focus on providing sanctuary to individuals from marginalised communities. Officially launched in Centenary Square, the Birmingham Pride parade saw thousands of people march through the city showcasing Pride flags, brightly coloured…
Birmingham’s brand new Black history sculpture defaced with “sickening” racist graffiti
Birmingham’s first and only sculpture celebrating Black history and heritage has been defaced with racist graffiti, in an incident described by a city MP as “sickening vandalism”. Earlier today, local residents in Winson Green were shocked to discover the ‘Black British History is British History’ artwork – launched less than two weeks ago – had been…
Birmingham imam receives MBE for feeding homeless and helping NHS staff during pandemic
A Birmingham mosque leader who helped to feed the homeless, refugees, victims of domestic abuse and frontline NHS staff during the COVID-19 pandemic has received an MBE. Mohammad Asad, lead imam at Birmingham Central Mosque, was given the top honour from HRH Princess Anne at a special ceremony in Windsor Castle this month.
Short film highlights backlash against British Sikh women who choose to wear a turban
A new short film called Kaur, produced by talent from the Midlands, tells the story of a British South Asian woman’s decision to wear a turban as part of her Sikh faith despite her father’s misgivings and fears about reprisals. Kaur tackles the uncharted subject matter in a sensitive manner and highlights the social –…