August riots inspires Rock against Racism gig

A musician and historical researcher affected by the rioting in UK cities over the summer has said he is organising a Rock Against Racism concert.

Kieran Bott, a doctoral researcher at University for Wolverhampton, said he was inspired to act after an Indian friend said he felt unsafe to meet him in the city during the August rioting.

Knowing the history of the Rock Against Racism movement in the 70s, he has organised several bands to perform at Newhampton Arts Centre in Wolverhampton in December.

Although racism would perhaps never be eliminated, he said, he wanted to do what he could to take a stand against it.

Six bands have so far been booked to perform, including Mr Bott's own group.

He will also open the event with a presentation on the Rock Against Racism movement, and speakers will be featured from community groups involved in combating racism or support refugees and asylum seekers.

Mr Bott said the venue was chosen as it was in the constituency of Enoch Powell, the Conservative MP for Wolverhampton South West, known for his anti-immigration "Rivers of Blood" speech in the 60s.

"There's a cliche that everything comes from an idea and I realised that through my academic work and my music that the person who starts this is me," Mr Bott, who is hoping to plan more gigs next year, said.

"The ethos of the Rock Against Racism movement is that you just do it."

He said the idea spread rapidly with many Black Country bands - including Abhey Aneja, Bansal Electrics, Pasalacqua and Blanco Negra - wanting to be part of it and now he had a waiting list.

Mr Bott and two friends were also recently invited by singer Tom Robinson to promote the event at his concert in Birmingham, which he said was "successful and Tom was really supportive of what we are doing".

He said the summer riots in various cities resonated with him and his research and love of music, but really struck a chord when his friend said he felt unsafe to go outside.

"My friend is from India but has lived here for about four years now and we were meeting in the city centre but he said he was concerned and that he felt unsafe," he said.

"Racism has hasn't ever gone away but when someone feels concerned for their safety doing every day things and to see that level of it come back, I wanted to do what I could to stop it.

"I don't think you really eliminate it... but we challenge them and push them away to the maximum extent. People should feel safe."

Tickets have already gone on sale for the event on 7 December with all proceeds going to the Refugee and Migrant Centre and City of Sanctuary in Wolverhampton, once venue costs have been covered.

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