SOUTHALL RISING
‘A chance
to reflect’
This April will mark the
40th anniversary of the
Southall riots and an
exhibition is being held
in the town to look back
at those tumultuous
events – and the
changes that have
taken place since.
I
n 1979, hundreds of
people were arrested or
hurt when battles broke out
as protestors tried to prevent
the far-right National Front party from
holding a meeting in Southall Town
Hall. Tragically, one of the protestors
was killed – a teacher called Blair Peach.
Inspired by the anniversary, a
multi-media project called Southall
Rising started in September and will
culminate with an exhibition at the
Dominion Centre from 23 April – the
actual anniversary date. It will also be
displayed at other venues.
The exhibition will include
photography, writing, film and urban
art. Since September, local students
have been taking part in workshops and
producing art for the exhibition, with the
help of artists. These pupils were from
four schools: Featherstone, Villiers and
Greenford high schools; and Blair Peach
Primary, which was named in honour
of the teacher
who lost his life
in 1979.
‘WHEN I TELL
THEM, THEY
ARE SHOCKED’
Southall Rising was
conceived by journalist
Vivek Chaudhary (pictured above left),
who has lived in the town all his life. He
was backed by funding and support
from Ealing Council’s Southall Green
and Southall Broadway ward forums,
Near Neighbours community group, the
teachers’ union NEU (formerly NUT), and
the Awards for All National Lottery Fund.
Vivek said the project was an
opportunity to recognise, and raise
awareness of, the past, while looking
forward in a positive way. He said:
“In 1979 I was in school – roughly
the same age as the pupils in the
workshops. And when I tell them about
it they are shocked.
“I don’t want to drag up negative
stuff, that is not what this project is
about. But it is part of our history and
it is also a chance to reflect on the
changes that have taken place since –
a lot of it has been so good – and the
positive things we have as a community.”
‘A LASTING LEGACY’
Councillor Jasbir Anand, Ealing
Council’s cabinet member for business
and community services, said: “Out
of tragedy, hate, and overwhelming
change our communities built a lasting
legacy of a vibrantly tolerant and diverse
town, which endures to this day.”
MORE INFO
n Read
the full story
on Southall Rising,
and see a video, at
ealingnewsextra.co.uk/
features/rising
n Read the details of what
happened in 1979; and also
the personal testimony
of Councillor Anand; at
ealingnewsextra.co.uk/history
n More commemorative events
are planned. Find out more at
southallresists40.com/events
around ealing April/May 2019
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