'Pledge a pound' to resurrect axed Finsbury Park music festival (From Haringey Independent)

'Pledge a pound' to resurrect axed Finsbury Park music festival

12:31pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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CAMPAIGNERS hoping to resurrect an axed summer music festival previously held in Finsbury Park are appealing for fans to pledge as little as £1 to help cover costs.

Rise Festival, once touted as Europe's biggest free outdoor concert, was cancelled by London mayor Boris Johnson in 2009 after sponsors pulled out when he dropped its historical anti-racist theme.

Since then, Finsbury Park residents Freya van Lessen and Mike Barnard have campaigned to bring the festival back under the new moniker UpRise.

Festival campaigners are now appealing to music lovers to help support their cause by pledging £1 to help them reach their £100,000 funding target by the end of March.

Mr Barnard said: "We are passionate about keeping the memory of Rise alive and we know thousands of Londoners feel the same way.

"Although we are asking for a lot of money, if each of the 100,000 people who attended Rise in 2008 donated just £1, we would reach our target."

He added: "The mayor has slashed funding for a series of cultural events and there has been a rise publicity for far-tight views. Uprise aims to display the true picture of London, which is of a united, vibrant and diverse capital city."

One of the Rise Festival's founding organisations, the Trades Union Congress, who set up the popular event in the wake of Stephen Lawrence's murder in 1996, have already pledged to provide some financial support.

Over its 12-year run the festival attracted more than 100,000 revellers each year to catch big names including Fun Lovin' Criminals, Run DMC, De La Soul, The Specials and Jimmy Cliff.

It was well supported by Haringey residents as well as families enjoying a day out.

To support the cause and bring the Rise festival back to Haringey's Finsbury Park visit www.uprise.org.uk and pledge £1.