Morrissey helps out Love Music Hate Racism Carnival

Morrissey has personally stepped in with a significant financial contribution to the Love Music Hate Racism campaign in order to allow their 30th Anniversary Rock Against Racism concert to go ahead in Victoria Park, London this weekend without financial loss or burden to the campaign.

In addition to his own contribution he has rallied his management, booking agency and promoters to make up the majority of the £75,000 deficit LMHR was faced with after a main sponsor pulled out.
Morrissey commented, "This is a historic event spreading an important, anti-racist, message so it must be allowed to go ahead. Love Music Hate Racism got in touch and explained that ...(name of original sponsor)... pulled out and asked if I could help as they had not been able to replace them. This is something I am committed to and we appreciate everyone coming together so quickly to make it happen."

Mozza is associated with K2 Agency, Live Nation, Pacifica Artists Group and SJM Concerts who have all made donations to Love Music Hate Racism at his request. LMHR's Martin Smith & Lee Billingham said, "After an expected contribution to the Carnival from a major sponsor fell through, we contacted Morrissey - and other artists who support the cause - to ask for their help, and we're extremely grateful for Morrissey's generous financial contribution."

Love Music Hate Racism Carnival 2008 celebrating Rock Against Racism's 30th Anniversary takes place this Sunday 27th April in Victoria Park, London and is FREE. Headliners include The Good The Bad & The Queen, Jay Sean, Hard-Fi, The View, Roll Deep, Jerry Dammers RAR Allstars, Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly, Natty, and Babyshambles' Drew McConnell's Helsinki project ft. John McClure, Fyfe Guillemot, Poly Styrene, Jimmy Pursey and many more.

Organisers of this Sunday's Love Music Hate Racism carnival expect that the event will attract over 100,000 people. And the message is clear - we want to celebrate the diversity of London and urge people to vote against the fascists in next week's London elections.

The carnival has received broad support across the union movement. Unions lending a hand to the event include SERTUC, Connect, PCS, NASUWT, UCU, CWU, Unite the union, Musicians Union, NUT, Unison, UAF and LMHR.

Both the stage and the crowd will be a display of unity in the face of the BNP's scramble to claw seats on the GLA. The event will bring together black, white and Asian, young and old, gay and straight to prove that racists and the BNP have no place in our society.

Jerry Dammers presents the LMHR Carnival 08 Finale, featuring a set from Paul Simonon, Simon Tong, Tony Allen and Damon Albarn playing music from The Good, The Bad and The Queen. Dammers & The Specials played the last-ever Rock Against Racism carnival in 1981, and Jerry has been heavily involved in the LMHR campaign: "Hating racism should be as natural as liking music, or breathing air for that matter."

With Pete Docherty unable to attend, Babyshambles' bassist Drew McConnell has confirmed he will put together a one-off version of his "other band" Helsinki to perform at the LMHR Carnival '08.

As well as Helsinki regulars Matt Parke and Brown, the 40-minute set will include appearances by 'Shambles guitarist Mick Whitnall, Reverend & The Makers' John McClure, ex-Arctic Monkeys man Andy Nicholson, Ed Larrikin, and Poly Styrene whose band X-Ray Spex opened the 1978 RAR/ANL Carnival.

Performers from the 1978 event who'll be making cameo appearances on the day include Sham 69's Jimmy Pursey - who sang "White Riot" with The Clash on the day. The original ’78 headliner Tom Robinson is confirmed to appear along with Fionn Regan, Ace & Invisible, and Don Letts.

Speakers who will address the event include veteran campaigner Tony Benn; trade union leaders Derek Simpson (Unite) and Mark Serwotka (PCS); National Union of Students leader Gemma Tumelty; and members of the family of racist murder victim Anthony Walker.

The carnival celebrates 30 years since the famous Rock Against Racism carnival, which also took place in Victoria Park and was played by The Clash, Steel Pulse and other legends.

As with the original event there will be an Anti Nazi League-organised march against racism and fascism on the day, assembling at 10am at Weavers Fields London E2. Coaches will be bringing groups from around the country to the event are being organised from across the UK. This will be a lively carnival procession through London to the event which has three stages - two live outdoor stages + big dance marquee. Acts from the worlds of hip-hop, indie, grime, bhangra, rock, reggae, dubstep, r&b, funky house, jungle, and more. Stars of the original 1978 Carnival will be playing live, unique collaborations, speakers, debates and information on fighting racism and fascism.

For more information, see the Love Music Hate Racism website.

Entry to the Carnival FREE - but donations are welcomed.

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