December 1st, 2008
Live Earth India Cancelled After Mumbai Attacks
Organizers have called off the sold-out charity environmental show after security fears. The Live Earth concerts are the brainchild of former US president Al Gore and partner Kevin Wall. They have taken place around the world, including gigs in London, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Sydney. This concert was designed to highlight environmental concerns as well as India’s Light a Billion Lives solar energy programme.
Gunmen opened fire at hotels, a railway station and other sites across the city, killing more than 170 people this past week. Although the authorities have now brought the situation under control, many of the stars scheduled to perform at the Andheri Sports Complex on December 7th such as: Bon Jovi, Aishwarya Rai, Hrithik Roshan (Bollywood stars), Will.I.Am, and Roger Waters pulled out.
Organizers of Live Earth India said in a statement that they were “shocked and saddened” by the attacks:
“We always felt very welcomed and safe as we spent more time on the ground in Mumbai to finalise plans.”
British artist Amar Dhanjan, who also had been scheduled to perform agreed with the decision to cancel. She told BBC 6 Music:
“It’s just not important compared to what’s happening there right now,” she told BBC 6 Music.
