Celebrity activist Annie Lennox has called for British authorities to restore order as hundreds of people are preparing to take to the streets in a clean-up effort.
The former Eurythmics star, a United Nations goodwill ambassador, has been left aghast by the chaos caused by youths across the UK capital since Saturday, when they began smashing shop windows and looting stores as they clashed with police.
In a post on her Facebook page, she writes: "What's happening in London and around many parts of the UK right now is appalling. I feel the need to comment on it, yet at the same time, realise that what I have to say is pretty much irrelevant.
"The main priority right now has to be to regain order from this wanton mindless mayhem. A social cancer has been growing for all sorts of complex reasons for so many years.
"There are no straightforward answers, but people must be protected against this feral criminality that has absolutely no justification whatsoever. So depressing."
Meanwhile, Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am has issued a plea to rioters to stop the violence.
In a message on his Twitter blog, he writes: "London please #stoptheriots...your city and country is to wonderful (sic)...don't cause anymore financial problems by burning down london..."
Meanwhile, British rockers Kaiser Chiefs and singer Kate Nash are among the stars who have stepped up to help the clean-up effort in London.
Community-driven locals set up an online group, the Riot Cleanup, on Tuesday to encourage residents to unite and restore their neighbourhoods to their former glory, and celebrities have been quick to show their support.
Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson and bassist Simon Rix, pop star Nash and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly star Sam Duckworth have all been working to clear the mess left by the overnight rioters.
In a post on Wilson's Twitter page, he wrote: "Camden Chalk Farm. Me and Simon will there in a bit with our brooms. Get to one near you today if you're about."
Facebook groups in various UK cities are being set up by communities to clear up the mess left by rioters.
People have taken to the streets of areas including Clapham and Hackney armed with brooms and bin bags.
People in Clapham were pictured wearing t-shirts with slogans saying “I love Clapham' during the clean-up operation.
British pop stars Jessie J and Little Boots are also backing the online campaign to clean up London.
Jessie J, who is sporting a cast on her broken foot, is fully backing the initiative.
In a series of posts on her Twitter page, she writes: "Watching the news. I really don't understand... I don't get it??!!! Why destroy your own community? Why hurt innocent people.
"This is NOT how to gain respect. This is NOT how to get justice. This is NOT how to gain peace. Am I in a film or real life?! Wtf (what the f**k) is this going to achieve? I can't understand it...
"I want to rip of my cast and go help clean up!!! I hate that I can't walk. Please go to http://www.riotcleanup.co.uk and see where you can help get London back to how we all deserve it to be."
Share
