Rock Aganist Racism Rally
with Tom Robinson Band, X-Ray-Spex,
Steel Pulse, Patrik Fitzgerald

NME Thrills: CARNIVAL DETAILS

THIS COMING SUNDAY (April 30) will see the biggest public celebration of human solidarity since Martin Webster and his buddies slipped off their jackboots to softshoe their way to the polls.

Organised by the Anti Nazi League in co-ordination with Rock Against Racism-, Hackney Campaign Against Racism, Hackney Community Relations Commission and Tower Hamlets Movement Against Racism and Fascism, the event will proceed in three stages, which, for the purposes of this announcement, we might term The Rally, The Carnival and The Festival.

* The Rally begins at 11.00 am in Trafalgar Square, where arrivals from all over the country will mejet to hear a few short addresses, possibly including one from Tom Robinson, before The CarnivaI starts its 31/2 mile journey to Victoria Park, Hackney at 11.30 am

* The Carnival, scheduted to thread its joyful way alongThe Strand, Fleet Street, through the City, out to Shoreditch and thence via Bethnal Green Road and Old Ford Road to arrive at the park bv 2.O0 pm, will feature at least eight floats, five of them carrying live music, including two steel bands, two rock bands (as yet unnamed) and the reggae group Misty; the other floats will be supplied by Women Against Fascism, ANL and RAR.

A spokesman for ANL told ThnWs that, although the number otfloats was restricted, there may well be one or two more, featuring "surprise guest personalities. " Naturally there will also be a goodly number of clowns, banners, lollipops, flags and other carnival paraphenalia, and EMI have promised to supply a fair few thousand whistles to add to the party spirit.

* The FestivaI begins at 2.00 pm and although the running order has yet to be arranged, the following four hours will be in the very capabIe hands of Patrik Fitzgerald, X-Ray Spex, Steel Pulse, The Clash and the Tom Robinson Band. All, of course, are donating their services free of charge.

RAR have organised an eight-foot high stage and a 10,000 watt sound system to ensure that everyone gets to hear and see what's happening. Inshie the park, toilets and food and drink at "non rip-off prices" will take care of the bodily functions - thougli outside of the park you'Il be taking your chances with the usual merchants that flock to these kind of events.

Security in the park is being handled by RAR's own people, the police having promised to keep a low profile throughout the whole day.

At the end of the party there will be a traditional festive jam on stage, for which Tom Robinson has written a special carnival song.

The ANL refer to the upcoming. bash as "the biggest anti-Fascist event in Britain since the war; a tribal reaction, brought on by national hostility to the Front; a carnival in favour of everything the Front are against." They told Thrills that people will be joining the event from all over the country, including 25 coachloads from Manchester, 12 from Sheffield, 20 from Leeds, a trainload from Glasgow, parties from Cardiff and. Swansea and numerous contingents from elsewhere.

RAR also rightly point out that this will be the biggest opportunity so far for the new wave to demonstrate its solidarity and that although there is an obvious political motivation for the event the emphasis is on Carnival

This is not another Lewisham The object is to have good fun good times with good music Our slogan is Go with the music take to the streets

See you there?

THRILLS