Calls for Ariana Grande to be given the 'Freedom of Manchester'
There is a petition online
Last updated 6th Jun 2017
More and more people are calling for US singer Ariana Grande to be given the 'Freedom of Manchester' following her decision to arrange the One Love Manchester concert. The 23-year-old singer returned to Manchester to honour those who were killed and injured by the bomb after her concert in May.
On Sunday around 50,000 fans, including many who had attended Ariana's concert at the arena overcame any worries they had, and attended the One Love Manchester benefit concert.
One Love Manchester took place just less than two weeks after Ariana's gig in central Manchester and brought together some of the biggest names in music including Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Little Mix and Black Eyed Peas.
Watch as Ariana sings her song 'My Everything' with pupils from Parrs Wood High School Choir, some of whom went to her concert on the 22nd May.
In response to Ariana's amazing performance and heartfelt speeches many fans have now signed a petition to make the 'One Last Time' singer an honorary Mancunian. At the time of writing the petition started by Matthew Duggan from Manchester has received over 12,000 names and only requires 15,000 before it has to be considered.
On the change.org website Matthew wrote, 'We the undersigned feel that Ariana Grande should be granted the Freedom Of The City for her amazing contribution to Manchester.' If the petition reaches the required amount it will be delivered to both the Lord Mayor of Manchester and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
The petition statement also read, 'Tonight Ariana Grande organised a benefit concert to raise over Two Million Pounds for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund. The fund was setup to support the families and victims of the horrific bombing of the Manchester Arena over two weeks ago.
'Ariana Grande has inspired people up and down the country with her selfless acts of kindness. She didn't need to return to Manchester (after all she was a victim herself) but tonight she did and brought the nation to tears and for that I feel she should be granted Freedom of the City of Manchester.'
You can sign the petition on the change.org website.
The 'Freedom of Manchester' is an honour given by the city council to a person to whom the city wishes to pay tribute. In the past many well known sports people, politicians and scientists have been granted the Freedom of Manchester including Winston Churchill, Team GB's cycling squad at the 2008 Summer Olympics and most recently Nobel Prize-winning physicists Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov in 2013.
#WeStandTogether
Ariana Grande put on an incredible show which has reportedly raised over £10 million so far.
The fund will support people who have been injured or bereaved by the attack. The donations will help alleviate suffering and ensure that victims and their families do not face short-term financial difficulties. Care will be taken to prioritise those in the most urgent need. Manchester City Council are establishing a charity to deliver the funds.
You can still donate by clicking here or calling 0300 456 4999.
Gallery: One Love Manchester >>>
22 people tragically lost their lives: Alison Howe, Angelika Klis, Chloe Rutherford, Eilidh MacLeod, Elaine McIver, Georgina Callander, Jane Tweddle-Taylor, John Atkinson, Kelly Brewster, Liam Curry, Lisa Lees, Marcin Klis, Martyn Hett, Megan Hurley, Michelle Kiss, Nell Jones, Olivia Campbell, Saffie Roussos, Sorrell Leczkowski, Wendy Fawell, Courtney Boyle and Philip Tron.