From time to time, I receive a press release that will motivate me to reach out to you lot, and I have to say, the one that I’ve just received from 17-24-30 has certainly been well received.
For anyone unaware of what 17-24-30 is, “17-24-30” represents the three dates that three nail bombs were left in Brixton (17th Sept), Brick Lane (24th Sept) and at the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho (30th Sept) targeting the black, Asian and gay communities of London.
The campaign has four objectives – to bring people together, to build relationships between communities, to support those who have been attacked and to challenge all forms of hate crime.
Please have a read of the below release, and if you want to find out more, or just show your support, you can do so via the below links:
Website: www.17-24-30.com
Facebook Group: Click Here
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hatecrimevigil
Thanks for reading 🙂
Candle-lit Vigil against Hate-Crime
On 30th October 2009, 10,000 people descended on Trafalgar Square to commemorate those who had been victims of Hate Crime when Facebook group 17-24-30 held the first International Day against Hate Crime.
This year’s vigil will be held on Saturday 23rd October from 7pm – 9pm in Trafalgar Square with a 2 minute silence at 8pm. The Candle-lit Vigil allows you to stand shoulder to shoulder with other supporters to stop this happening again and shows your support to all victims of Hate Crime.
The Vigil will include speakers form a wide cross section of the community, and musical contributions.
Mark Healey, organiser of the vigil said: “We are remembering all victims of hate-crime. Harvey Milk said, ‘you have got to give them hope’ and I think that ‘hope’ is what this event is about. Hope that we can work together and put an end to all forms of hate-crime.”
“For those unable to attend, in the UK and throughout the world, we are asking that they light their own candles of hope, and observe the two-minute silence at 8pm on Saturday 23rd October. People are invited to take part on-line, by posting photos of their candles on Facebook tagged with the names of those who gather with them. We want to make this a worldwide day of remembrance, hope and action.”
For more details go to http://www.17-24-30.com
UPDATE (22/09/2010):
Guest Speaker Announcement – Stuart Milk17-24-30 No To Hate Campaign is very pleased to announce that Stuart Milk, nephew of Harvey Milk, human rights activist and founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation, will be speaking at the Candle-lit Vigil Against Hate Crime in Trafalgar Square, London on 23rd October 2010.
Stuart Milk formed the start up Not-for-Profit Harvey Milk Foundation and the Harvey Milk Global Human Rights Institute to advise, assist and support LGBT rights organisations, movements and advocates worldwide with a primary mission to help achieve equality through the story and message of his late Uncle in all corners of the globe and to fulfill Harvey’s dream of a world without discrimination and a world without hate.
Milk will be travelling from the USA to join a number of speakers representing the many individuals and communities affected by or campaigning against hate crime in the UK.
10,000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square last year to show support for all those affected by hate crime in the UK and internationally.
The annual vigil against hate crime is 7 – 9pm on 23rd October 2010 in Trafalgar Square, London, with a two minute silence at 8pm.
“In the brief time that Harvey spoke, and ran and led, his voice stirred the aspirations of millions…and gave us all hope – hope unashamed, hope unafraid – and that could not be silenced.”
Barack Obama, President of the United States
Gari Wellingham 
Hi Gari,
It’s great that you’re interested in this – I’m going to be a steward at the event so I hope to see you there! Not sure if you know, but they need volunteer stewards for the event; anyone who wanted to sign up would need to be free for a training session at 6.45pm on 28 September or 12 October (as well as on the evening itself, obviously!)
Anyone who is interested should contact 17-24-30 through their website.
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Hi Tanya,
Thanks a mil for providing this information – I shall certainly consider this dependent on my schedule, and hopefully some of my blog readers will also want to help! 🙂
Best, G
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I attended the vigil in Trafalgar Square last night and found it very moving. Especially the address by Stuart Milk. Thanks to those who organised this.
Just one comment though. Why is it that the gay orchestra and the singers have to be at the back of the square with no apparent sound system. As such those at the front where most people try and gather, could not hear the music. Consequently people talked to each other so drowned out the faint sounds that drifted over. Why can’t the music be situated at the front with the speakers where there are sound systems? It seems so unfair on those who perform.
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Thanks – glad you enjoyed the vigil, and your feedback is welcome too.
The first Vigil was organised in less that two weeks, and took place in the 30th April 2009. It was promoted via Facebook and over 10,000 people turned up. The Choirs were put on the steps as it was thought that, with so many people attending, having them slighlty elevated on the steps would help them to be heard (we had zero budget for a pa system etc so everything was very basic the fist year).
The second year, which you refer to above – we put them in the same place but few people attended the vigil – estimated to be 4,000 so there was a more noticable gap between the choir and the stage area – with fewer people inbetween.
Last year, learning from the year before – we moved the choirs to the front next to the stage. Which worked a lot better – although only 2,000 people attened.
It’s all done for free, with zero budget so thanks to everyone who turned up and volunteered to help out. It’s important that we continue to stand up and state that hate crime is not acceptable in our communities.
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