On Sunday, Ariana Grande returned to Manchester, England for the One Love Manchester concert, an event paying tribute to the fans who were hurt at the attack on May 22nd. During the Manchester attack, 22 fans were killed and many more were injured.
In her first full statement after the attack, Grande announced plans to return to Manchester, expressing her deepest condolences and urging people not to let hate divide them. “Our response to this violence must be to come closer together, to help each other, to love more, to sing louder and to live more kindly and generously than we did before,” wrote the singer.
Not too long after Manchester was another terrorist attack that occurred on the London Bridge near Borough Market, making the spirit of the concert especially powerful as a fight against fear and hate.
The donation page in One Love Manchester notes that there have been several tragic attacks this week in other part of the world, from Afghanistan to Indonesia. “We stand in solidarity with all families and children impacted by terror around the world,” they write, noting that “any additional funds from U.S. donations will support victims of terror worldwide.”
Grande, who was “emotional and teary-eyed” throughout the concert, was joined by other stars like Oasis’ Liam Gallagher, Little Mix, Coldplay, and more. Especially emotional was a performance of “My Everything” with the Parrs Wood High School Choir. “I encourage you to choose love even when it’s difficult,” said Grande, “Let no one take that away from you.” She ended the concert with a cover of “Over the Rainbow.”
With the 10 million pounds raised by the British Red Cross, TIME reported this morning that they’ve raised more than $13 million U.S. dollars for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund. You can learn more about where those donations will go, and contribute if you can here.
(via TIME, Image: screencap)
Want more stories like this? Become a subscriber and support the site!
—The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—
