100,000 for Respect festival

Public enemy are headlining

An anti-racist festival dedicated to murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence has got under way.

More than 100,000 people are expected to turn up at London's Millennium Dome for the third annual respect festival.

Stephen, 18, was stabbed as he waited at a bus stop in Eltham, south east London, in April 1993.

No one has been convicted for his murder.

His parents' struggle for justice after a bungled police investigation led to new ground being broken in race relations policy.

The free event marks the culmination of a range of projects celebrating creativity and diversity including a poetry slam and a film week.

Racist incidents in Eltham and in other parts of south-east London are on the rise and those caught committing racist crimes are treated too leniently Doreen Lawrence

Public Enemy, the hip-hop innovators, will be headlining, while reggae legend Gregory Isaacs closes proceedings.

Others featured include Panjabi MC, Un-Cut, Rhythm Dohl + Bass, Sunship, Heartless Crew, JJC & the 419 Squad and Est'elle.

Stephen's mother, Doreen, said there are "too many excuses" for racism which remains a serious problem.

She said: "I hope that dedicating this year's respect festival to the memory of my son and it taking place here in the borough where he was killed will encourage more Londoners to stand up and actively challenge racism.

"Racist incidents in Eltham and in other parts of south-east London are on the rise and those caught committing racist crimes are treated too leniently."