Bradford 12: The Asian youth who took on the racists, part 1
Tariq Mehmood endured violent racism as an immigrant teen in 1970s Britain. He found shelter and wisdom in a library, sparking an entire movement to resist racist attacks.
As a Pakistani immigrant teenager in 1970s Britain, Tariq Mehmood endured homelessness and years of violent racism. He found shelter and wisdom in a library, and the strength to stand up to the racists. He co-founded the Asian Youth Movement, and their slogan “self-defence is no offence,” would galvanise an entire generation. But it’s a rationale that would see Tariq in court – facing life in prison – in the groundbreaking case of the Bradford 12.
Today Tariq is a writer. His novel Hand on the Sun, written in pre-trial detention, has just been re-released.
Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Maryam Maruf and Lina Chang
Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com
(Photo: Tariq Mehmood [far left] in 1981 along with other members of the Bradford 12. Credit: Courtesy of Ruth Bundey)
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