Labi Siffre has issued a cease-and-desist order to Tommy Robinson over his use of ‘(One thing Inside) So Robust’ at a latest rally.
The tune featured prominently on the “unite the dominion” rally in central London on September 13, which was organised by the far-right activist Robinson – actual identify Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. The observe has additionally been utilized by Robinson in posts on social media.
In an interview with The Guardian, Siffre, 80, has stated that Robinson is “breaking all kinds of copyrights”, including: “Even in an period when theft is simpler than it ever was, it’s nonetheless theft.”
The 1987 tune was written by Siffre as a response to a tv documentary about apartheid in South Africa during which white troopers have been proven capturing at black civilians on the street. It received an Ivor Novello Award, has been utilized in Amnesty Worldwide campaigns and was considered one in all Nelson Mandela’s favorite songs.
Explaining his objection to the tune’s use by Robinson, Siffre added: “Anyone who is aware of me and is aware of my work since 1970 will know the joke of them utilizing the work of a constructive atheist, gay black artist as apparently consultant of their motion.”
“These folks must be extremely artistic to provide you with something that will offend or harm my emotions, and they don’t seem to be artistic folks,” he added. “It’s simply standard, standard. I want the media would cease speaking about this as an unprecedented motion. There’s nothing unprecedented about it. Anybody who has even the slightest information of Twentieth-century historical past ought to know that.”
On the rally, Robinson invited a former X Issue contestant to sing the tune, and launched it by saying, “I all the time like telling tales by means of music and this subsequent tune now’s going to inform all of our tales of why we’re right here and why we care.”
One other artist to reject their music being utilized by Robinson was Tim Sales space of James, after ‘Sit Down’ soundtracked an X submit exhibiting the scale of the gang. He described being “disgusted” by the use and known as the observe “the antithesis” of the far-right activist’s motion.
The Metropolitan police estimated that between 110,000 and 150,000 folks attended the “unite the dominion” demonstration. At the very least 25 folks have been arrested, and 26 law enforcement officials have been injured on the occasion.
Different far-right figures, corresponding to Katie Hopkins and Laurence Fox, have been additionally in attendance. Elon Musk gave a speech by way of video hyperlink, criticising what he known as the “woke thoughts virus” and telling the gang that “violence is coming” and “you both battle again otherwise you die”.
If a musician or band’s work has been used unlawfully or with out permission, they will request a cease-and-desist letter for any accused events to cease utilizing their work. If no additional motion is taken, the band or musician can file for a lawsuit for copyright infringement, which might result in damages funds.
