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17:23 GMT, Friday, 25 April 2008 18:23 UK

Morrissey saves anti-racism gig

Morrissey

Singer Morrissey has stepped in to save an anti-racism music festival from possible financial ruin.

The Rock Against Racism concert is taking place in London on Sunday and organisers said it was facing a £75,000 deficit after a main sponsor withdrew.

But the former Smiths singer has made a personal donation and rallied together his management, promoters and booking agency to help make up the shortfall.

The star said it was a "historic event" that "must be allowed to go ahead".

He hailed the free event's "important, anti-racist, message".

'Generous contribution'

"This is something I am committed to and we appreciate everyone coming together so quickly to make it happen," he said.

Organisers Martin Smith and Lee Billingham said they contacted Morrissey and other artists after the sponsorship fell through.

"We're extremely grateful for Morrissey's generous financial contribution," they said.

Headliners at the concert in Victoria Park include The Good The Bad & The Queen, Jay Sean, Hard-Fi, The View and Get Cape Wear Cape Fly.

Morrissey recently won an apology from Word magazine for suggesting he was a racist and a hypocrite.

He is also suing the NME after it quoted him as saying Britain had lost its identity due to high levels of immigration.



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Related to this story:
Did music fight racism? (24 Apr 08 |  Magazine )
Magazine says sorry to Morrissey (03 Apr 08 |  Entertainment )
Morrissey to sue NME over story (30 Nov 07 |  Entertainment )

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