Comments on: LONDON: 50,000 in Trafalgar Square Carnival Against BNP http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/ Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:12:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1.3 by: Administrator http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-666 Fri, 23 Jun 2006 11:21:48 +0000 http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-666 from London Student: Love Music, Hate Racism On the day that London got its first timid glimpse of the sun, 50,000 young people gathered on Trafalgar Square for a demonstration of unity against racism. Love Music, Hate Racism, taking place just a few days before local council elections in which the fascist BNP were standing, featured a multiracial array of bands, from rock giants like Belle and Sebastian to rapper Lethal Bizzle and up and coming bands like the Mentalists and Get Cape Wear Cape Fly. The aim was to unite people through their love of music, which, argues the organisers, can beat the false divisions created by racism. The show began at noon, and the line up was impressive: Apart from the musicians, there were many political speakers such as representatives of the family of racially motivated murder victim Anthony Walker. Some artists like Little Bizzle performed songs and skits that directly related to the issue of racist abuse, and even the bands whose songs did not made very critical statements: “Racism is a big issue in Hull, which is where we’re from, and we really hope to do something against it by playing here,” said Lloyd Dobbs from The Paddingtons. By 2pm it was clear that the eagerly anticipated Pete Doherty wouldn’t show up for the Babyshambles gig (he’d been arrested earlier in the day). Bassist Drew McConnell played an acoustic version of Down In Albion, but thousands of fans could not hide their disappointment at Doherty’s absence. Martin Smith, one of the organisers, knew how to raise their spirits: “Shouldn’t the police be going after Anthony Walker’s murderers rather than arresting Pete?” to which the crowd cheered and the police officers scattered around Trafalgar Square looked vaguely embarrassed. By this time, the square was brim full with a multicultural crowd, some of which were, much to the dislike of the police, happily bathing in the fountains and awaiting the last performance of the day - Belle & Sebastian. Trumpet player Mick expressed his approval for the event: “We don’t have anything of this scale in Glasgow and music is a fantastic way of sending a message against racism.” Martin Smith, who has been organising Rock Against Racism since his activist time in the 70s, wanted students to know about the importance of fighting racism: “When I was in school, kids would get beaten up because of their skin colour, and I wanted to see the situation change. Students, there is something you can do against racism. If you don’t like the world you live in, then go and change it. Don’t just sit on your sofa - go out and demonstrate.” from London Student:

Love Music, Hate Racism

On the day that London got its first timid glimpse of the sun, 50,000 young people gathered on Trafalgar Square for a demonstration of unity against racism. Love Music, Hate Racism, taking place just a few days before local council elections in which the fascist BNP were standing, featured a multiracial array of bands, from rock giants like Belle and Sebastian to rapper Lethal Bizzle and up and coming bands like the Mentalists and Get Cape Wear Cape Fly. The aim was to unite people through their love of music, which, argues the organisers, can beat the false divisions created by racism.

The show began at noon, and the line up was impressive: Apart from the musicians, there were many political speakers such as representatives of the family of racially motivated murder victim Anthony Walker. Some artists like Little Bizzle performed songs and skits that directly related to the issue of racist abuse, and even the bands whose songs did not made very critical statements: “Racism is a big issue in Hull, which is where we’re from, and we really hope to do something against it by playing here,” said Lloyd Dobbs from The Paddingtons.

By 2pm it was clear that the eagerly anticipated Pete Doherty wouldn’t show up for the Babyshambles gig (he’d been arrested earlier in the day). Bassist Drew McConnell played an acoustic version of Down In Albion, but thousands of fans could not hide their disappointment at Doherty’s absence. Martin Smith, one of the organisers, knew how to raise their spirits: “Shouldn’t the police be going after Anthony Walker’s murderers rather than arresting Pete?” to which the crowd cheered and the police officers scattered around Trafalgar Square looked vaguely embarrassed.

By this time, the square was brim full with a multicultural crowd, some of which were, much to the dislike of the police, happily bathing in the fountains and awaiting the last performance of the day - Belle & Sebastian.

Trumpet player Mick expressed his approval for the event: “We don’t have anything of this scale in Glasgow and music is a fantastic way of sending a message against racism.”

Martin Smith, who has been organising Rock Against Racism since his activist time in the 70s, wanted students to know about the importance of fighting racism: “When I was in school, kids would get beaten up because of their skin colour, and I wanted to see the situation change. Students, there is something you can do against racism. If you don’t like the world you live in, then go and change it. Don’t just sit on your sofa - go out and demonstrate.”

]]> by: London Dude’s Blog » Blog Archive » Love Music Hate Racism http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-266 Mon, 22 May 2006 16:19:00 +0000 http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-266 [...] Love Music Hate Racism » Blog Archive » LONDON: 50,000 in Trafalgar Square Carnival Against BNP [...] […] Love Music Hate Racism » Blog Archive » LONDON: 50,000 in Trafalgar Square Carnival Against BNP […]

]]> by: hannah http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-201 Fri, 05 May 2006 08:21:38 +0000 http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-201 OMG the gig was wkd! considerin me and ma b/f were just goin london for da day lol :D cant w8 till the next 1 ill b der! f*** da BNP! :D hehe well worth it! OMG the gig was wkd! considerin me and ma b/f were just goin london for da day lol :D cant w8 till the next 1 ill b der! f*** da BNP! :D hehe well worth it!

]]> by: Calum http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-193 Tue, 02 May 2006 20:20:14 +0000 http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-193 In a few words: Boy Kill Boy Kicked Ass Belle And Sebastian Kicked Ass BNP suck Ass In a few words:

Boy Kill Boy Kicked Ass

Belle And Sebastian Kicked Ass

BNP suck Ass

]]> by: CASE http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-192 Tue, 02 May 2006 19:29:40 +0000 http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-192 hey whats up i really enjoyed the festivle was a great turn out love evry aspect of it even though i aint into punk music too tuff... but my highlights had to be the speech from Anthony Walkers family and when i filmed on my video camera to white men shouting F**K BNP now i really hope it goes ahead again but lets hope we dont need to beacuse BNP will not make it!!!!!!!!! xx LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM xx hey whats up i really enjoyed the festivle was a great turn out love evry aspect of it even though i aint into punk music too tuff… but my highlights had to be the speech from Anthony Walkers family and when i filmed on my video camera to white men shouting F**K BNP now i really hope it goes ahead again but lets hope we dont need to beacuse BNP will not make it!!!!!!!!! xx LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM xx

]]> by: Philip http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-188 Tue, 02 May 2006 14:56:25 +0000 http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-188 A good event. If this was a mini-March on Washington, then Belle and Sebastian were exuberant enough to stand in for Bob Dylan - but sadly there was not much rhetoric worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as Martin Luther King's. 'F*** the BNP' is not in the same league. Thank goodness (and probably thank God) for Donna Walker. Her words and the size of the crowd spoke volumes. A good event. If this was a mini-March on Washington, then Belle and Sebastian were exuberant enough to stand in for Bob Dylan - but sadly there was not much rhetoric worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as Martin Luther King’s. ‘F*** the BNP’ is not in the same league. Thank goodness (and probably thank God) for Donna Walker. Her words and the size of the crowd spoke volumes.

]]> by: Edwina http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-187 Tue, 02 May 2006 13:21:49 +0000 http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-187 Was such a brilliant day...went last year's one and i'd have to say that the line-up was better than last years. I also found it quite emotional especially when that family of the murdered boy came out giving a speech. I had a great time, and i can't wait for next years! "F*** The BNP!" X Was such a brilliant day…went last year’s one and i’d have to say that the line-up was better than last years.
I also found it quite emotional especially when that family of the murdered boy came out giving a speech.

I had a great time, and i can’t wait for next years!

“F*** The BNP!”

X

]]> by: NADIA!!! :D http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-185 Tue, 02 May 2006 12:08:19 +0000 http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-185 the performance was heavy!! the best song was def pow! the crowd went wild!! lol i had a gd sleep at da end of it lol but it was sooooooo worth it :D :D :D :D :D :D :D the performance was heavy!! the best song was def pow! the crowd went wild!! lol i had a gd sleep at da end of it lol but it was sooooooo worth it :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

]]> by: Lancaster UAF http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-180 Mon, 01 May 2006 23:49:49 +0000 http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-180 Looks like a great event. Kudos to all who contributed and bo**ox to the BNP! :-) We've mirrored the report on the Lancaster UAF site and linked back. Hope that's okay. LUAF x Looks like a great event. Kudos to all who contributed and bo**ox to the BNP! :-)

We’ve mirrored the report on the Lancaster UAF site and linked back. Hope that’s okay. LUAF x

]]> by: Winnie http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-178 Mon, 01 May 2006 22:32:32 +0000 http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/news/2006/04/30/london-50000-in-trafalgar-square-carnival-against-bnp/#comment-178 just read what antony said and i totally agree, maybe next year you should be the speaker! And i am totally saying it in a unsarcastic undertone just read what antony said and i totally agree, maybe next year you should be the speaker! And i am totally saying it in a unsarcastic undertone

]]>