Protests at Band Aid Whitewashing Poverty Issues
features | 19.11.2004 10:12
On the 14th November outside the recording studios in Hampstead where "Do They Know It's Christmas" - Band AID, was being re-recorded, demonstrations took place by protesters arguing that Band Aid is a screen "whitewashing the real issues behind world poverty". Shouts of 'real aid, not band aid', 'don't whitewash Africa' and boo's were audiable over the screams of fans and onlookers. One protester was arrested while handing out leaflets explaining the reasons for the protest - [read full report].
Protesters from the Dissent! Network, organising against the G8 summit next July, argue that the song is obnoxious, patronising and out of date with the real situation in Africa.
Several initiatives are now underway to re-write the lyrics - upload your own, or send lyrics or recorded mp3s to doyouknowitscapitalism@yahoo.co.uk
Protesters from the Dissent! Network, organising against the G8 summit next July, argue that the song is obnoxious, patronising and out of date with the real situation in Africa.
Several initiatives are now underway to re-write the lyrics - upload your own, or send lyrics or recorded mp3s to doyouknowitscapitalism@yahoo.co.uk
International development campaigners, World Development Movement (WDM) - which was one of the founders of both the fair trade movement and Jubilee 2000, also condemned the lyrics as promoting a "negative and inaccurate picture of Africa and its problems." The organisation, drew attention to several lines in the song which it described as "patronising, false and out of date". Director of WDM, Mark Curtis said on Tuesday 14th: "African poverty is not an unfortunate accident of geography and climate. It is largely the result of damaging policies such as free trade forced on Africa by rich countries."
For more see Indymedia London Feature | Bad Reviews, Ethical Criticism | Band Aid Banned
For more see Indymedia London Feature | Bad Reviews, Ethical Criticism | Band Aid Banned
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