Still rockin' against the racists

Sunday, 11 May 2008 09:16

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Reporter: Shalina Hussain

THOUSANDS of people braved the rain and travelled from across the country for this year’s Love Music, Hate Racism Carnival.

The carnival marked 30 years since the original Rock Against Racism event with The Clash and The Tom Robinson Band in 1978.

Last weekend more than 100,000 revellers joined the anti-racist concert at Victoria Park and watched headliners Jay Sean, The Good, The Bad and The Queen, and Hard-Fi perform during the flashes of sunshine and sporadic showers.

This was Hard-Fi's only festival this year and the band branded the event as the most important for them.

The crowd moshed along to the band’s anthems Cash Machine and Suburban Knights.
Babyshambles were due to play until front man Pete Doherty was jailed earlier this month. Bassist Drew McConnell's side project, Helsinki, appeared instead.

Veteran politician Tony Benn also spoke at the event. He said: “Our world is now a little village packed with weapons of mass destruction. Racism breeds hatred that could destroy the human race.”

Lee Billingham, from festival organisers Love Music, Hate Racism, said: “The carnival was a massive success! We estimate that over 100,000 people attended on the day; young, old, black,
asian, white, the crowd represented the real diversity of London.

“There was also a feeling that we need to keep coming together like this to oppose the racists and the fascists wherever they pose a threat. And of course, the day was only the success it was because of huge amounts of work, dedication and good will from all the performers, speakers and volunteers who helped on the day and in the months leading up to the carnival.”

During the original carnival a huge rally of 100,000 people marched the six miles from Trafalgar Square through London's East End – the heart of National Front territory at the time to the concert in Victoria Park to demonstrate their unity against racism.

This year thousands of revellers joined in a similar march organised by the Anti-Nazi League, which started at Weavers’ Field and finished at Victoria Park.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of The University and College Union, said: “Racism destroys lives. Education changes lives. The university and college union represent educators and we are therefore proud to support Unite against fascism. We send out solidarity and respect.”

Some of the stars who performed at the original carnival in 1978 made a guest appearance last weekend.

X-Ray Spex’s Poly Styrene performed followed by Sham 69's Jimmy Pursey and Jerry Dammers from The Specials.

Many local groups attended the event with Tower Hamlets Council's community safety service setting up a stall near the main gate at the festival giving out information to more than 4,000 revellers.