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MU Meets With Mayor of London Team to Discuss Racial Profiling Of Live Events

The discussion focused on the allegations of racial profiling of musicians by the Met Police, where venues were pressured into cancelling shows by predominantly Black artists and artists who perform music of Black origin.

Published: 24 May 2023 | 1:52 PM
Microphone in front of the bands instruments standing ready on a stage for a live performance.
A wider industry meeting will be convened in due course involving UK Music, Black Lives in Music and other relevant organisations. Image credit: Shutterstock.

Last week we explained how the MU was deeply concerned that claims of racial profiling of musicians by the Met Police had once again surfaced.

As a result, MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl, today met with Amy Lame and the Mayor of London's team. They discussed allegations that the Met Police have been targeting live events featuring Black artists or music of Black origin.

It was agreed to look into the issue further and review licensing processes to ensure equal treatment of events regardless of genre.

A wider industry meeting will be convened in due course involving UK Music, Black Lives in Music and other relevant organisations.

Equality at the MU

As a member-led organisation, we often ask for members' opinions on a whole range of topics to ensure that our work represents your views and our equality networks are an important part of this process. We have four major equality network groups and a Young Member Network.

The Network for Musicians who Experience Racism is a space where people with shared identities and backgrounds can connect, network and make positive change across the MU and the music industry. It ensures that the voices of members who experience racism are heard and that opportunities for activism and leadership are created.

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Councillor Tom Plater: How Local Councils Can Still Support the Arts When Budgets are Slashed

In this guest blog, Councillor Tom Plater discusses local authority arts and cultural funding, and explores how local councils can still prioritise this where budgets are cut. Tom also sits on our Members' Assembly as a representative for Young Workers and is an MU East South East Committee member.

Published: 15 September 2024

Read more about Councillor Tom Plater: How Local Councils Can Still Support the Arts When Budgets are Slashed