Press Release

'London United' gig set for this Saturday
13-7-2005   339

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has announced a free music festival - London United - to be held on Saturday 16 July to remember all of those who died in the attacks last Thursday and to show London's defiance of those who try to change the character of the city through terror.

'London United' will take place in Burgess Park this Saturday, from 12 noon to 8.30pm.

Details of performers appearing at the concert will be announced shortly. Tens of thousands of Londoners will attend and the mayor said that the gig would reflect London in all its breadth.

Madness star Suggs, who will be performing at London United, said: 'We love London because London lets you be yourself. On Saturday at 'London United' we will show that London stands firm in all its diversity after the terrible events of last week.'

Billy Bragg, who will be also be appearing, said: 'This free festival gives all Londoners an opportunity to come together to send a message of defiance to the bombers by celebrating the diversity they wish to destroy.'

London United forms part of a series events this week as London remembers the bombings and their victims and shows its refusal to be moved from its open, multi-cultural character.

• At noon on Thursday 14 July noon millions of Londoners will observe two minutes silence. Every London bus in the city will stop and the mayor is urging Londoners to come out of their workplaces and homes onto the streets of London to remember those who died and to show their defiance of the terrorists.
• At 1pm on Thursday 14 July books of condolences will be opened in Trafalgar Square for all Londoners and visitors to the city to sign throughout the day.
• At 6pm on Thursday 14 July Londoners are invited to a vigil in Trafalgar Square to remember those who died, to show that London will not be moved from its goal of building an open, multi-racial and multi-cultural society, and to thank the heroes of the transport and emergency services who saved so many lives last Thursday.

The vigil on Thursday is organised by the mayor's office with the Trades Union Congress and representatives of London's different faiths and communities. There will be readings and poems by prominent Londoners, different communities and from London's representatives of the city's transport and emergency services.

Saturday's London United gig will give Londoners the chance to come out and show their opposition to terrorism and their love of their city.

The Mayor said: 'The bombings that took place last week indiscriminately attacked Londoners irrespective of race, culture, religion or age. London is the future. This free gig will show that London stands firm and celebrates its status as a city of all races, faiths and cultures, the very thing the bombers hate.'

Supporting the London United gig, Jarvis Cocker said: 'At this time it's important for people from all backgrounds to stand together - it's also important for them to enjoy themselves. This event allows them to do both.'

St Etienne added: 'London is a living city. Its inhabitants come from everywhere to fill it with new life, to keep it in a constant state of renewal. No one person or group of people can do anything to stop the most beautiful, civilised, forward looking city in the world.'ENDS

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