Arsenal Times - Fans support Love Music Hate Racism Carnival

Fans support Love Music Hate Racism Carnival

Follow Henry

By Boris Mellor April 24 2008
Maybe I will get some fans complaining about politics on a football forum, but football does not exist in a self contained bubble. It exists in society warts and all, and some of those warts are pretty nasty. It is not enough to wave a kick racism out of football card once a year, or clap the team for wearing anti racist slogans.

Younger fans may not be aware that many years ago Liam Brady was attacked by racists whilst travelling on the London Underground. That 30 years ago Nazis were organising on the terraces, looking for recruits amongst disaffected white fans. Meanwhile the few black players in the game suffered the indignity of having bananas thrown at them. In those days it was the National Front, now it is the BNP that is trying to build itself as a respectable racist organisation by getting elected to the London assembly.

Arsenal Football Club exists as a multicultural club in a multicultural London. But in a week's time London could wake up to find it has a Nazi Councillor representing it. They will only need 5% of the vote to get a seat on London's leading body. Imagine the message that will send out to all those who look to look to London, and Arsenal, as a centre of Cosmopolitan diversity and sophistication. Imagine what that poisoned atmosphere could mean for the many overseas players that now make London their home.
It is important we make Londoners aware of the importance of voting in these elections, and making a stand against the fascists who are once again trying to pollute our society with racism and hate. Football will not be immune from that pollution if it gets a hold. Fans should support the Carnival.
Love Music Hate Rate Racism Carnival
Thirty years ago Rock Against Racism held the first carnival in London's Victoria Park. Over a 100,000 people heard the Clash, Steel Pulse, X-Ray Specs and Tom Robinson play that day, it was the beginning of a black and white united movement that played a central role in the demise of the Nazi National Front.
Love Music Hate Rate Racism is the child of Rock Against Racism and now a new generation of musicians and DJs are making a stand against racism. The carnival takes place this Sunday 27^th April 12 noon to 6pm in Victoria Park. For more details see http://www.lmhrcarnival.com/.
The Good The Bad The Queen
Hard-Fi
Roll Deep
Helsinki - Drew McConnell of Babyshambles & friends ft very special guests including Jimmy Pursey (Sham 69), Poly Styrene (X Ray Spex), John McClure (Reverend and the Makers), Fyfe (Guillemots), Ed Larrikin, Shingai/Jamie/Dan (Noisettes)
Rock Against Racism All-Stars
Jay Sean
The View
Jerry Dammers (ex-The Specials)
Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly
Wiley
Akala
Nihal
Dennis Bovell's London Lovers' Rock Crew
Poly Styrene (X-Ray Spex)
Bashy
Tinchy Stryder
The Paddingtons
Patrick Wolf
Natty
Skream & Benga
Don Letts
Ace & Vis
Jocelyn Brown
Heartless Crew
Snakeyman
Jammer
Juggy D + MC Special
Mecca 2 Medina
Ny
DJ Hype + Daddy Earl
DJ Luck and MC Neat
Chipmunk
Target
Mistajam
Hypa Fen & Marcie Phonix
Statik
Alex Mills
The Thirst
Adelaide Mckenzie
No.Lay
Metz & Trix
Hoodstars
Aruba Red
The Tribunes
Lil Rascals
Stylo G
Decypher Collective
DJ Rugrat
Nathan 'Flutebox' Lee
Lauren Mason

Bookmark or share this story with: