Rappers take anti-racism message into BNP heartland

Urban music crew Roll Deep will visit an East London school in the heart of British National Party territory today as part of an initiative to tackle racism and fascism. The group will perform and talk about race relations with pupils at the Robert Clack School in Dagenham.

The event has been organised by musicians' action group Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR), which accuses far-right organisations such as the British National Party (BNP) of stirring up racial tensions. In Barking and Dagenham, where the BNP has 12 council members, LMHR is working with schools in the borough to arrange events and activities that will bring young people together to fight all forms of racism and fascism.

Speaking ahead of their performance, Roll Deep said: "As a group made up of mixed races and cultures we cannot accept in this day and age racial prejudice in any way, shape or form. We feel strongly that the UK should and will be a place for people of all colours, races, shapes and sizes to live side by side in harmony."

David Moody, head of six form at Robert Clack School, said: "We were the first school to run Black History Month a decade ago and it's fantastic to widen the provision even further with events like these. The students are extremely excited and it will be a day to remember for all of them."

Alison Philcock, of Love Music Hate Racism. said: "We are proud to be working with schools in Barking and Dagenham to send out a positive message of unity and celebration of multiculturalism, in opposition to the BNP's message of division and hate. It's not hard to win the hearts and minds of the young people of Barking and Dagenham to ideas of respect and tolerance. We are very pleased that Roll Deep are continuing to work with LMHR by visiting Robert Clack School."

Weyman Bennett, joint national secretary of Unite Against Fascism, added: "We need to do everything we can to keep the nazi BNP out of Dagenham. Events like this can help us defeat the fascists. They bring together everybody who opposes the fascists. We are proud to be working with Barking and Dagenham Schools and Barking and Dagenham National Union of Teachers."

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