Right to Move | Radio Calais

This month I am talking migrant rights with Caitlin Boswell who worked for over five years for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. It is an old-fashioned name that describes the formation over fifty years ago in Southall. Radio Calais recognises and respects the role that this part of West London has played in anti-racist politics in the UK. The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, JCWI, was a response to late ‘60s legislation to limit migration from Britain’s former colonies, legislation that followed the rise of a then-new fascist party, the National Front. When they tried to hold an election meeting in Southall in 1979, huge numbers of anti-fascists opposed them and were met with police violence. Blair Peach, a teacher and a migrant from New Zealand, was killed by a member of the Special Patrol Group, by a fatal blow to the head with a police radio. He has many legacies: Firstly, in Inquest, a vital charity that provides ‘expertise on state related deaths’ founded by Celia Stubbs, Blair Peach’s widow. Southall Black Sisters, who rose up in 1979 and continue to ‘challenge all forms of violence against women and girls.’ And in the trade union, now the NEU, to which Blair Peach belonged, which upholds his anti-fascism with their support for last month’s protest against Tommy Robinson. Up first is Cate with our Calais updates.

Tracklist

• Shackleton - Hamas Rule

• Nicolini - Scratch Dat Neck

• Snakeskin - Homecoming

• Seyed Darwish - Rakset, El Jawari

• Linton Kwesi Johnson - Reggae fi Peach

• Clarence Carter - Slip Away

• SPANNER - We Won't Be Stopped

• GhostPoet - Hold the Line!

• Special Interest - Street Pulse Beat