Rise Festival , and replaced by two initiatives, , both of which are championed by Mayor Boris Johnson.
Last month, London Assembly Member Jennette Arnold presented a petition of more than 2,000 signatures to Johnson at Mayor's Question Time. It called for Rise to return with its anti-racism message intact.
Performers including Beardyman, Asian Dub Foundation, Ty, Trojan Sound System, Ashley Beedle and the Dub Pistols have all lent their support to UpRise, a scheme to reinstate Rise.
"Racism is unfortunately a natural human impulse that can only be countered by anti-racist affirmations and the promotion of tolerance and empathy. Shared emotional experiences that bind communities are the only way to achieve this. Rise was the only festival which actively sought to do this and which spoke out proudly and unashamedly against racism. We are all worse off for the fact that it is not taking place," said Beardyman.
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