South Asian Resistance Book Launch in Luton as racist lies about the town continue

Last month I went to the launch of Taj Ali's excellent and timely new book 'Come what may, we're here to stay: the story of South Asian resistance in Britain'. The launch took place at Marsh House in Luton, the town where both Taj, like myself, grew up. The book gives a fascinating overview of South Asian activism in the UK, starting with anti-colonial fighters for Indian independence in early 20th century London and working through the workplace struggles of migrant workers to the fight back against police and far right racism. Where possible Taj has supplemented archive research with interviews with people involved.I consider myself fairly well informed about some of this but the book made me realise how many stories have never been fully told. I had no idea for instance that the Indian Workers Association was first established in this country during the Second World War. The Asian youth movements of the 1970s and 1980s are at the heart of this book and are clearly a model from…