Advocates are calling on the government to intervene and safeguard the future of the Notting Hill Carnival as Windrush Day is observed.

Ian Comfort, the chairman of the west London carnival, expressed serious concerns about the event’s future in a letter obtained by the BBC on Wednesday. He appealed to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy for “immediate funding” to ensure public safety at the festival.

While the government has recognized the event’s importance, it has not committed to providing financial support and has encouraged organizers to collaborate with local officials and law enforcement.

Jacqueline McKenzie, a campaigner and human rights attorney who has assisted individuals affected by the Windrush scandal, emphasized the carnival’s “significant national and international importance.”

“The government must understand this and take swift action to protect it,” Ms. McKenzie asserted.

By the late 1950s, Notting Hill had become a refuge for many Caribbean individuals who came to Britain aboard the HMT Empire Windrush and other vessels, leading to the carnival’s establishment by the pioneers of that era.

Ms. McKenzie argued that the threat to the carnival is “an added affront” to the victims of the Windrush scandal, where countless British citizens, predominantly of Caribbean descent, were incorrectly labeled as illegal immigrants.

Many faced deportation, while others struggled to find employment, healthcare, or housing.

“It is significant that these funding issues emerge alongside Windrush Day this Sunday,” she remarked.

“The existence of this event being at risk while many from the Windrush generation continue their quest for justice that arose from the Home Office debacle only deepens the insult.”

“Carnival represents the essential contributions of Black and Caribbean communities to Britain, and the government ought to be enhancing the Windrush legacy rather than diminishing it.”

The carnival, which draws approximately two million attendees during the August bank holiday, has raised alarms within the Metropolitan Police regarding the possibility of a “mass casualty event.”

On Thursday, London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan expressed his fears, stating that the potential for a crowd crush at Notting Hill Carnival “concerns me greatly.”

He also supported the calls for government involvement, as the financial support offered by City Hall and two councils was already at its highest capacity.

A spokesperson for City Hall mentioned that efforts are underway with partners to prioritize the safety of carnival attendees, describing it as “of utmost importance.”

Patrick Vernon, a cultural historian and advocate for Windrush rights, stated, “Notting Hill Carnival transcends being a mere street festival; it serves as a crucial cultural legacy with significance that reaches both national and international spheres.”

“As the second-largest carnival globally, after Rio de Janeiro, it highlights London’s status as a vibrant epicenter of diversity, creativity, and cultural interaction.”

Mr. Vernon campaigned for the establishment of a national Windrush Day in response to the Home Office scandal in 2018.

“The injustices endured by the Windrush Generation in recent years make the peril facing Notting Hill Carnival all the more poignant,” he remarked.

He emphasized that the carnival symbolizes the “best aspects of Britain,” showcasing “unity in diversity, creativity through challenges, and joy within community.”

Glenda Caesar, director of the Windrush National Organisation, similarly called on the government to intervene to preserve the event.

“In light of the historical and ongoing injustices faced by people of color, the carnival represents not only a celebration of resilience, heritage, and identity but also serves as a powerful emblem of unity and inclusiveness,” she stated.

A government spokesperson commented: “Notting Hill Carnival is a significant community occasion, and we acknowledge its value as a time for many to come together in celebration.”

“We all wish for it to proceed, and event organizers must collaborate with local authorities and law enforcement to ensure the safety of all attendees.”