Daytimers, Manara, Tara Lily, more announced for Save Brick Lane fundraiser event
Funds raised by the party will challenge council approval of the Truman Brewery Shopping Mall application
Nijjor Manush – an independent campaigning group for Bengalis and Bangladeshis in the UK – has announced a live music event taking place this week at Rich Mix, East London to help raise funds for the Save Brick Lane campaign.
The event, which will take place from 5pm on Sunday (18th June), will be hosted by DJ Kye and feature a stacked bill of live acts including Sliime, Azadi.mp3, Nikhil Beats, Tara Lily, Surya Sen, as well as DJ sets from Manara, Zaleel, Saint Ludo, and members of the Daytimers crew. Tickets are available here.
Funds raised will go toward a legal action fund for the Save Brick Lane campaign; a coalition of grassroots organisations who, since 2020, have been campaigning against gentrification in the iconic East End area, which is at the heart of the country’s Bengali and Bangladeshi communities.
Last year, the Save Brick Lane coalition challenged Tower Hamlets Council’s approval of the Truman Brewery Shopping Mall application in the High Court, which would permit the development of a four-floor corporate office block above a number of large retail units on Brick Lane. Although the Judicial Review was initially unsuccessful, campaigners have now been granted permission to Appeal.
“Although we did not achieve the desired outcome, we have been granted permission to Appeal, and we remain optimistic about our chances of success,” said Nijjor Manush co-founder, Tasnima Uddin. “If this scheme goes ahead, Brick Lane as a place of diversity and character and a home for the Bangladeshi community will disappear. Spitalfields is rich in history and its physical character should be protected by the planning system against large, insensitive development.”
Headlining the event this week will be British-Bengali singer, Tara Lily, who said, “I’ve been going to brick lane with my dad since I was a baby when he used to carry me on his shoulders. We used to come there for Bengali food, vegetable’s and to connect with the culture generally. Bangladeshi people for generations have brought so much vibrancy to this area. I support Nijjormanush 100% in their efforts to protect and maintain our heritage and presence on Brick Lane.”
In raising funds to appeal the High Court decision, the organisation is in pursuit of an alternative community-led masterplan for the site that includes social housing, green space, and protects Brick Lane’s history and architecture. The Save Brick Lane campaigners are scheduled to present their case at the Court of Appeal at 10.30 AM on Wednesday, 21st June, and are encouraging supporters to join them on the day.
To proceed, Save Brick Lane is hoping to raise £10,000 to cover the legal costs, via Sunday’s live music fundraiser and an ongoing online campaign. “Let’s come together, enjoy incredible music, and make a lasting impact in the fight against gentrification. See you there!”
Surya Sen, who has helped to organise the fundraiser, said: “Our Fundraiser last year increased the visibility and awareness we raised and helped the Mayor of Tower Hamlets allocate £100,000 in his new budget to address the masterplan for the Truman Brewery Estate and the concerns of the residents and small business owners on brick lane. We are hoping that our fundraiser this year will go further and enable more people to take a stand against the proposed shopping mall.”
To find out more, follow the appeal, and donate, visit the Crowdjustice page.
Tickets to Sunday’s Save Brick Lane Music Fundraiser are available here.
