Mayor Boris' response to calls to reinstate Rise (and it's not good news)

By kemblek | Tuesday, July 07, 2009, 10:30

Thank you for the petition presented to the London Assembly plenary meeting on 21 May about the Rise festival being cancelled this year. The petition, requests that the Rise Festival for 2009 be re-instated with its original anti-racist message.

As you may be aware we removed the overt anti-racist message from the Rise festival last year, for a message of bringing together Londoners from all backgrounds to celebrate what we share in common, and enjoy the rich cultural contribution of different communities. To date this was one of the most successful Rise festivals in terms of audience attendance.

In order to deliver the Rise festival, there is a reliance on external funding and sponsorship. Unfortunately, during this year of economic uncertainty, it has not been possible to secure the funding needed, and it is not considered appropriate to spend such a large amount of public money on a single music event - particularly at this time of recession.

I do appreciate the concerns about the cancellation of Rise. However, I stand by the notion that anti-racism is not about one annual concert in a park. It is about ensuring that every policy, statement and strategy reflects the appreciation of the rich diversity of London, which is among the most attractive and distinctive feature of the global capital. I deplore racism and urge Londoners to reject it at the ballot box and in their everyday lives.

Yours ever,

Boris Johnson

Mayor of London

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Comments

I doubt he could sponsor it as he is giving it to undisclosed charities rather than funding events for the hard-working people of this city!

By lela34 at 13:59 on 15/07/09
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Maybe the Mayor could sponsor it with some off his £250 grand a year "chicken-feed" job he talking about this morning?

By mikeyn7 at 10:01 on 14/07/09
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Lets get it sorted well in advance for 2010. No excuse for racism; lets get it right without the festival and then celebrate it when the festival rolls around.

By INLUMINO at 13:07 on 09/07/09
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That maybe leaves the door open post recession?

By lela34 at 10:33 on 07/07/09
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