On Saturday, David Lammy MP joined thousands of performers and festival goers at Tottenham’s annual carnival celebration.

Every June, Tottenham comes together in the spirit of community and togetherness for the Festival & Carnival. It is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to join in a colourful display of music and festivities to celebrate our diverse community.

David Lammy said: “Carnival truly captures our tremendous community spirit. For me and many others it has now become a cherished feature in the diary; heralding not only the beginning of summer, but a chance to come together to celebrate Tottenham at its very best.”

Carnival 2008 was also part of the wider Lee Valley Festival with activity taking place on and around the River Lee. The Festival aims to engage North London’s diverse community and business sectors as we move towards the Olympic and Paralympics Games in London in 2012. The focus this year has been to highlight the power of culture and sport to reinvigorate communities and disadvantaged groups.

David added: “We all need to work together to harness the economic and inspirational power of the 2012 Olympic Games to improve Tottenham. I have already met many young people who hope to compete and win Gold at the Games. We have to support their dreams and ambition as well as ensuring that we all benefit from this investment.”

Tottenham Labour Party as usual had a stand at the Festival jam packed with leaflets and supporters on hand to chat. This year they decided to stand shoulder to shoulder with the community and campaign against Gun and Knife Crime.

Activists from Tottenham Young Labour decided to start a petition asking people to say that ‘enough is enough: We, the undersigned, support the campaign for tougher sentences for people who carry knives and commit knife crime.”

Knife crime has ruined the lives of thousands of people. Too many young men and women have lost their lives, and too many families have lost their loved ones. Knife crime destroys lives and makes society feel unsafe.

They collected hundreds of signatures on the day and will continue to build on the campaign.

David commented: “We all know that Gun and Knife crime is a vital issue at the moment. I am pleased to see local activists taking the opportunity offered by the Festival to create a local grassroots campaign.”

To see more images from the Carnival please click here.

To read more about Tottenham Carnival past and present please click here.

To read more about the Lee Valley Festival please click here.