Save Rise Festival
Chuka is supporting the campaign to save Rise Festival, London’s annual anti-rascism event, which has been cancelled by London Mayor Boris Johnson. The UpRise campaign has been formed in response to the decision, setting up an online petition against the cancellation.
Rise, previously known as the Respect Festival, was first organised by the TUC in 1996 to promote an anti-racism message and celebrate London’s unity in diversity. It also provided space for charities and community organisations to highlight and promote their work. From 2001, Mayor Ken Livingstone took charge of the festival, increasing its size and profile. Featured acts have included the Wailers, Public Enemy, Graham Coxon and De La Soul. Last year’s event was held in Finsbury Park and headlined by reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, with over 60,000 in attendance. However, Boris Johnson was criticised for watering down the festival’s anti-racist message.
Commenting on the cancellation, Chuka said: “The decision to cancel the Rise Festival at a time when all mainstream political parties, including the Mayor’s own party, are fighting to prevent the rise of the far right in the forthcoming European Elections is crazy – he should think again.”
Please sign the Save Rise Festival petition and check out UpRise’s Facebook group.
