Fight against racism is centre stage

De La Soul was headlining the Respect festival

The mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence was joining musical stars on the stage of an anti-racism festival in east London on Saturday.

Doreen Lawrence was among speakers addressing the crowds at the annual Respect festival at Victoria Park about racism.

Among others expected to speak were councillors from Oldham and Burnley, which were badly affected by race riots last year.

The British National Party won three seats on Burnley Council in this year's local elections

Doreen Lawrence will address the festival

Mrs Lawrence said: "Since Stephen's murder, racism is out into the open and more and more people in authority are talking openly on the extent of race-hate crime.

"I see the Respect festival as cementing our diversity and a way of promoting respect for each other. The festival is a way to bring communities together to celebrate and show we have more in common than what divides us."

Over 60,000 people were expected to attend the festival, which has been organised by the London mayor's office along with the National Assembly Against Racism.

It is intended to celebrate London's diverse communities, but London Mayor Ken Livingstone added that it was also a stand against racism in the wake of "the rise of the far right across Europe".

Hip-hop band De La Soul will headline the free festival and will be joined by other musicians including reggae band Misty In Roots and UK Garage act the Pay As U Go Cartel.

Stephen Lawrence, 18, was killed by a gang of white racists at a bus stop in Eltham, south east London, in April 1993.

No one has been jailed for his murder.