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Big names to play at concert celebrating life of murdered Stephen Lawrence Big names to play at concert celebrating life of murdered Stephen Lawrence
(4 months later)
Some of the biggest acts in British pop music are set to gather for a one-off concert at the O2 in London in September to celebrate the life of the murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, who was killed in a racially motivated attack 20 years ago.Some of the biggest acts in British pop music are set to gather for a one-off concert at the O2 in London in September to celebrate the life of the murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, who was killed in a racially motivated attack 20 years ago.
Rizzle Kicks, Emeli Sandé, Jessie J and Plan B will be among the acts aiming to secure the future of the Stephen Lawrence Trust, the charity set up in the teenager's memory. The concert could act as a lifeline to the trust, which has struggled financially in recent years.Rizzle Kicks, Emeli Sandé, Jessie J and Plan B will be among the acts aiming to secure the future of the Stephen Lawrence Trust, the charity set up in the teenager's memory. The concert could act as a lifeline to the trust, which has struggled financially in recent years.
The show, Unity: a Concert for Stephen Lawrence – due to take place on 29 September – will also include performances from Labrinth, Tinie Tempah, Jamie Cullum, Ed Sheeran and Rudimental. Classic soul act Soul II Soul will play at the event, which may include other big name guests, hinted David Joseph, head of Universal Music UK.The show, Unity: a Concert for Stephen Lawrence – due to take place on 29 September – will also include performances from Labrinth, Tinie Tempah, Jamie Cullum, Ed Sheeran and Rudimental. Classic soul act Soul II Soul will play at the event, which may include other big name guests, hinted David Joseph, head of Universal Music UK.
Joseph, who has led the rally of record labels around the cause, said he had been "blown away" by meeting Stephen's mother, Doreen Lawrence, for the first time. "It felt like as an industry, this was just something we should be doing and making happen – so we made some calls," he said.Joseph, who has led the rally of record labels around the cause, said he had been "blown away" by meeting Stephen's mother, Doreen Lawrence, for the first time. "It felt like as an industry, this was just something we should be doing and making happen – so we made some calls," he said.
Sandé said the campaigner's battle for justice had made a big impact on her. "I was quite young when it happened but coming from a mixed-race family it was a big issue that we spoke about," she said. "All the work Doreen has done has felt very empowering – that you can speak out about these things and changes can be made if you are brave enough to stand up."Sandé said the campaigner's battle for justice had made a big impact on her. "I was quite young when it happened but coming from a mixed-race family it was a big issue that we spoke about," she said. "All the work Doreen has done has felt very empowering – that you can speak out about these things and changes can be made if you are brave enough to stand up."
In April 1993 a gang of five or six white youths set upon the 18-year-old A-level student and aspiring architect Stephen Lawrence in an unprovoked racist attack on the youngster who was waiting at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London.In April 1993 a gang of five or six white youths set upon the 18-year-old A-level student and aspiring architect Stephen Lawrence in an unprovoked racist attack on the youngster who was waiting at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London.
In January 2012, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of being involved in the attack and sentenced to life imprisonment, after a forensic review of the case found significant new scientific evidence on clothing seized from their homes following the murder.In January 2012, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of being involved in the attack and sentenced to life imprisonment, after a forensic review of the case found significant new scientific evidence on clothing seized from their homes following the murder.
After the launch, in Abbey Road studio, London, where about 100 guests including students helped by the fund were gathered, Lawrence urged the government to provide regular funding for the trust.After the launch, in Abbey Road studio, London, where about 100 guests including students helped by the fund were gathered, Lawrence urged the government to provide regular funding for the trust.
When the future of the trust had been in jeopardy an emergency meeting with the Home Office resulted in some funding, she said.When the future of the trust had been in jeopardy an emergency meeting with the Home Office resulted in some funding, she said.
"We shouldn't have to do that, we shouldn't have to think 'that's just a one-off'. They should look to continue to do it," she said."We shouldn't have to do that, we shouldn't have to think 'that's just a one-off'. They should look to continue to do it," she said.
"They have seen the work that we do, they have seen the progress we have made, they have seen all the opportunities that young people have had since they have been at the Stephen Lawrence Centre.""They have seen the work that we do, they have seen the progress we have made, they have seen all the opportunities that young people have had since they have been at the Stephen Lawrence Centre."
The government should be supporting charities that funded projects for young people, as it would save money and lives in the long run, she added.The government should be supporting charities that funded projects for young people, as it would save money and lives in the long run, she added.
"That is what I would like to see the government do a lot more of.""That is what I would like to see the government do a lot more of."
Lawrence said she feared hard fought for gains in race equality could be lost, as the government reviews the public sector equality duty, a measure that obliges authorities to assess the potential impact on equalities of their plans and actions.Lawrence said she feared hard fought for gains in race equality could be lost, as the government reviews the public sector equality duty, a measure that obliges authorities to assess the potential impact on equalities of their plans and actions.
"The excuse is that this is form filling, but if we do not have that duty society thinks they don't have to follow through on those promises, they don't have to treat people with equality and respect," she said."The excuse is that this is form filling, but if we do not have that duty society thinks they don't have to follow through on those promises, they don't have to treat people with equality and respect," she said.
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