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Love Not Riots Update

09 Aug 06

Some further info has been sent our way by the girls behind the "Love Not Riots" campaign. The following is the press release that was used as a base for a BBC Berkshire article - the article itself can be found here:

BBC Berkshire article



PRESS RELEASE

MUSIC LOVERS UNITE IN BID TO HALT TROUBLE

FESTIVAL goers attending this year's Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds Festivals have united in a bid to end the disruption that has blighted the events in recent years.

Vandalism on the final night of the festivals, including the burning of tents, exploding of gas canisters and attacks on stalls and toilets blocks, has caused disruption to the enjoyment of thousands attending the annual gatherings which run throughout the August Bank Holiday weekend.

After seeing acts of disruption for themselves, Kent friends Zena Gardner and Amy Last decided to take a stand against the actions they believed were ruining the experience for over 100,000 music fans who attend the three-day festivals, which this year feature headliners Franz Ferdinand, Muse and Pearl Jam.

"I realized some sort of campaign could work, with the right organization, backing and promotion," said Zena, 27.

"We are not trying to be the fun police, or take anything away from the festival atmosphere, we just want people to have their fun without risking the safety, wellbeing and enjoyment of those around them."

The pair enlisted the help of like-minded festival goers from the efestivals.co.uk website to get the campaign off the ground.

They also launched www.lovenotriots.com in June, which has now received over 1,000 hits, from as far afield as the US and Munich.

Amy, 22, said: "We want the festivals to be around in years to come for future generations of festival lovers. But at the moment, the destructive behaviour that we see on a Sunday night is becoming a real threat to the festival's future."

After contacting organizer Festival Republic, the girls received the backing of Melvin Benn, managing director of the firm, which is behind the Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds Festivals, as well as Glastonbury and Latitude.

Melvin said he supported any moves to bring the disruption to a halt.

"All fan movements and activities have an effect and this one could be very, very positive," he said.

And he hit out at those who claim the vandalism was merely acting against a corporate giant and dismissed claims that it is a "tradition" among some festival goers.

He said: "Having seen it (the disruption), it is just not true. It is just straight-forwardly mindless.

"I don't think it is quite the tradition you suggest but we are intending on continuing the entertainment a little longer, which I think will help."

With the backing of Festival Republic secured, the pair are preparing to give away campaign badges and sell T-shirts and vest tops bearing the Love Not Riots logo at both sites, throughout the weekend.

They have also received favourable responses from bands performing at the event, including The Subways and The Automatic.

And they are determined to make sure fellow music and festival lovers enjoy the safest festival yet.

Zena added: "If we make one person listen then the campaign will have worked."

For more information on the campaign, log on to www.lovenotriots.com

The following is information about how to get involved at the Carling Weekend: Reading & Leeds Festivals:

Free badges are being handed out around the campsites at both Reading and Leeds, mainly on Thursday and Friday morning, possibly later if there are lots left over, so look out for people with a bag full of badges wearing a campaign t-shirt and holler if you want one. They will also be available on the "Love not Riots" stall in the Main Arena at both Reading and Leeds from the day it opens.

T-Shirts and Vest Tops are available for a mere fiver, they are however very limited and in high demand so as soon as you can, head to the "Love not Riots" stall in the main arena and get yours! They are black with the logo in white in the centre on the front and very very stylish!

There will be a competition on the website after the festival - we want pictures of you / your group promoting the campaign in your t-shirts / vest tops and badges. we're looking for hilariously funny pictures - the funnier they are the more likely you are to win. The best pictures we receive will be posted on the website and then the funniest will be declared our winners. We are hoping to have some band / festival related merchandise as prizes. More information on this will be available on the website after the festival.

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