Today is Altab Ali Day in Tower Hamlets

A series of events will take place in Tower Hamlets on Wednesday 4 May as part of a important commemoration of the life and death of Altab Ali who was murdered in a racist attack in 1978.

After his racially motivated murder in Whitechapel, the park he was murdered in now bears his name, it was called St Mary’s Park. His murder was seen as the start of a UK-centred struggle against racism, which marked a turning point for the local Bangladeshi community.

It triggered the Bengali community’s political participation and youth activism in the UK, especially within the Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Events on the day will include a theatrical production of The Altab Ali Story, an exhibition, a relaunch of the Kobi Nazrul Arts Centre and a wreath-laying ceremony at Altab Ali Park.

The production tells the true and terrible story about that day nearly four decades ago and it subsequent impact.

There will be a short ceremony at Altab Ali Park from 6pm to lay wreaths and poetry readings, followed by refreshments and then a re-launch of the Kobi Nazrul Arts Centre at 6.45pm.