Around 50,000 people converged on London’s Trafalgar Square on Saturday 29 April for a Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) Carnival that used top musicians and speakers to send out a message of unity against the threat posed by the fascist British National Party in this Thursday 4 May’s local council elections.
The event was a positive celebration of the real multicultural Britain the likes of the BNP love to hate, but all the artists and speakers also urged everyone who could to turn out to vote to stop the BNP on Thursday. In addition, thousands signed up to get more actively involved with Love Music Hate Racism and co-organisers Unite Against Fascism, with hundreds pledging to turn out today for mass anti-fascist leafletting in Barking and Dagenham, the area of London where the BNP pose the greatest threat.
A fantastically diverse line-up featuring Belle & Sebastian, Roll Deep, Lethal Bizzle, Boy Kill Boy, The Paddingtons, Heartless Crew, and many more was lapped up by the overwhelmingly young, multiracial crowd. The atmosphere all day was one of unity and celebration but also of determination to stand together to stop racism and fascism – with huge cheers for the political speakers and spontaneous chants of “Love Music Hate Racism” and “F*** the BNP” breaking out.
Speakers highlighting different elements of the anti-fascist movement included Donna Walker, sister of murdered black teenager Anthony Walker; Bend it Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha; Derek Simpson, leader of trade union sponsor Amicus; Weyman Bennett from Unite Against Fascism; Lee Billingham from LMHR; Tahmina Saleem of the Muslim Council of Britain, Ben Summerskill from gay rights group Stonewall; and Red Saunders, one of the founders of the original Rock Against Racism movement.
The only disappointing aspect of the day was that longtime LMHR supporter Pete Doherty was unable to play with his band Babyshambles after being arrested by police on the morning of the event. However, the rest of the band did come down to show their support, and Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell with LMHR’s Martin Smith made speeches strongly criticising police for failing to bail Pete in time to play at such a major anti-racist event, despite appeals from event organisers. The police decision was especially curious since Pete was since bailed the morning after. Drew McConnell then sang one of Doherty’s most famous songs, the haunting reflection of modern Britain, “Albion”.
The London event was one of a series of events around the country organised by Love Music Hate Racism in the run-up to the 4 May elections. Events are coming up or have already taken place in Leeds, Wakefield, Thurrock, Sheffield, Manchester, Shrewsbury, Bristol, Hastings, Chester, Barrow, and Hull.
Chris Peck , lead singer of Boy Kill Boy
Image free to use where credited to the photographer “Simon Clark www.eyebox.net”
(C) Simon Clark, Eyebox / Amicus the union / Love Music Hate Racism. All rights reserved.
Derek Simpson, leader of trade union sponsor Amicus, addresses the huge crowd
Image free to use where credited to the photographer “Simon Clark www.eyebox.net”
(C) Simon Clark, Eyebox / Amicus the union / Love Music Hate Racism. All rights reserved.
Stuart Murdoch, Belle & Sebastian
Image free to use where credited to the photographer “Simon Clark www.eyebox.net”
(C) Simon Clark, Eyebox / Amicus the union / Love Music Hate Racism. All rights reserved.
LMHR event organisers
Image free to use where credited to the photographer “Simon Clark www.eyebox.net”
(C) Simon Clark, Eyebox / Amicus the union / Love Music Hate Racism. All rights reserved.
Crowd at LMHR Trafalgar Square event
Image free to use where credited to the photographer “Simon Clark www.eyebox.net”
(C) Simon Clark, Eyebox / Amicus the union / Love Music Hate Racism. All rights reserved.
Drew McConnell from Babyshambles and DJ Statik, backstage at Trafalgar Square
Image free to use where credited to the photographer “Jasmine Worth / Love Music Hate Racism”
(C) Jasmine Worth / Love Music Hate Racism. All rights reserved.
Lethal Bizzle on stage at Trafalgar Square
Image free to use where credited to the photographer “Jasmine Worth / Love Music Hate Racism”
(C) Jasmine Worth / Love Music Hate Racism. All rights reserved.
Roll Deep on stage at Trafalgar Square
Image free to use where credited to the photographer “Jasmine Worth / Love Music Hate Racism”
(C) Jasmine Worth / Love Music Hate Racism. All rights reserved.
Crowd at LMHR Trafalgar Square event
Image free to use where credited to the photographer “Jasmine Worth / Love Music Hate Racism”
(C) Jasmine Worth / Love Music Hate Racism. All rights reserved.
More photos from the day will be put on the site very soon, and many can be accessed via the Flickr.com stream on the front page of our site. For high-resolution versions of particular images please email info@lovemusichateracism.com
