This year, Love Music Hate Racism is celebrating its 20th anniversary as an antiracism
campaign with a packed calendar of events, highlighting the continued value of utilising
music in the fight against racism.

On Saturday, 23rd July Love Music Hate Racism is partnering with Barking and Dagenham
Council to celebrate its anniversary by putting on the One Borough Festival at Parsloe Park
in Becontree. This year’s line-up will feature Brit-Funk bank Incognito, 2 Tone veterans The Beat, Basil Gabbidon
(Steel Pulse), grime artists Manga St Hilare, Scrufizzer and Kirby T, Alabaster Deplume and
rising Drill star Cristale. There will be a marquee with panel discussions on the role music
plays in tackling racism, decolonising education and a Love Music Hate Racism exhibition
exploring key events during the 20 years history of the campaign. The marquee is named
after Blair Peach, an anti-fascist activist and teacher killed after being hit on the head with a
police truncheon whilst attending a counter-demonstration against the National Front.

Love Music Hate Racism began life as the slogan of the Rock Against Racism movement of
the mid-1970s to early 1980s. The task was to draw on the tried, and tested method utilised
by Rock Against Racism and reignite a cultural movement that would promote unity through
the power of music. We are proud of what Love Music Hate Racism has achieved over the
last two decades and the sheer number of musicians, music professionals, trade unions and
activists who have supported the campaign.

Whilst there is not currently a far-right threat on the scale that the National Front, British
National Party and English Defence League once posed, history warns us against
complacency. The government’s Nationalities and Borders Bill, anti-migrant rhetoric, and
shocking treatment of Child Q are breeding grounds for far-right movements to regroup.

Love Music Hate Racism has continued relevance in utilising music to combat hatred and
bigotry. This summer, the campaign wants to celebrate past events that have brought
communities together whilst promoting our positive message alongside a new generation of
musicians ready to take up the mantle of their predecessors.