| Saturday 22 September 2001 |
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Stars turn out for telethon in aid of terrorist victims
Entertainers from Tom Hanks to Bruce Springsteen have united to raise money for victims of the World Trade Centre and Pentagon terrorist attacks. Making understated appeals for donations, actors told stories of innocent people killed and heroic acts while singers performed on sets decorated by hundreds of burning candles. America: A Tribute to Heroes was shown on more than 30 TV networks across the nation and within the first 15 minutes, Springsteen, Stevie Wonder and U2 had performed on stages in New York, Los Angeles and London.
"This is a prayer for our fallen brothers and sisters," Springsteen said opening the programme, before singing a new song My City of Ruins. "We are not healers," Hanks said. "We are not protectors of this great nation. We are merely artists, entertainers, here to raise spirits and, we hope, a great deal of money."
Wonder condemned hatred in the name of religion before singing Love's in Need of Love Today. Neil Young performed the late John Lennon's hit Imagine. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers played their defiant I Won't Back Down. With such stars as Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts and Jim Carrey and a two-hour limit, it was hard to fit in everybody interested in pitching in. Celebrities like Meg Ryan, Jack Nicholson and Sylvester Stallone were relegated to the phone bank, answering contributors' calls.
Will Smith appeared with Muhammad Ali to remind viewers not to target all Muslims in the wake of the September 11 attack. "I wouldn't be here representing Islam if it were terrorist," Ali said. "I think all people should know the truth, come to recognise the truth. Islam is peace." A phone number, 1-866-TO-UNITE, and website address, www.tributetoheroes.org, were flashed across the screen for donations. (Ananova) Many thanks to Mariah News.
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