Dancehall superstar Mavado has joined the efforts of “Stop The Bleeding,” a non-profit organization, to lead an anti-gun and non-violence campaign in the US Virgin Islands. Mavado will headline a huge peace concert on the island of St Croix December 30, 2011 dubbed the One Love Music Festival.
“I am very happy to be a part of this anti-violence movement,” said Mavado. “I am always ready to use my influence and celebrity in a positive way and I’m honored to have been asked to get involved. Violent crime is on the increase all over the world and it’s important to me to help stem the tide. I’m hoping to partner with the right agencies in Jamaica to do something similar in the near future. We are often criticized for our influence over the youths but a campaign like this shows the potential to use Dancehall acts such as myself to motivate and uplift young people.”
Stop the Bleeding co-ordinator and son of the Virgin Island’s Lt Governor, Kareem Francis, conceptualized the initiative with Lenny Hansen of LTB Entertainment and approached Mavado in October to headline the campaign and concert; he didn’t hesitate to get involved. The organization’s aim is to use the event as a constructive platform for the territory to reignite love, peace and joy and to address the recent increase in crime, violence and rising numbers of the murders of young people.