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Sail 8

Keith Parkins | 06.06.2005 17:20 | G8 2005 | Globalisation | Repression | Social Struggles | South Coast

Bob Geldof has called for a modern-day Dunkirk, sailors to sail to France and bring across protestors for Edinburgh.

Bob Geldof is calling on sailors and boat owners,to form a massive flotilla across the Channel in July as part of the global call for action against poverty (GCAP).

Everyday, poverty kills 30,000 children in Africa alone. Another 100 will have died in the time that it takes you to read this page.

World poverty is preventable. In an urgent rallying cry to make poverty history, Bob Geldof is calling on people around the world to show their support ahead of the G8 Summit at Gleneagles where world debt, trade and aid are major agenda items. Already up to 20 million people are expected to offer their support as part of the biggest mobilisation against global inequality ever seen.

"This is our chance to make sure the G8 leaders understand that we will not stand by and watch them do nothing - again. I want everyone who's got access to a boat to set sail on July 3rd, and be part of the Long Walk to Justice. I want to see a recreation of D Day - but this time the action is on poverty. This is the rich world on the move in support of those who can barely crawl.

"We call on the sailing community to act now. To take part individuals should encourage their community to set sail across the Channel, then walk and travel by any means towards Edinburgh. The G8 leaders have it within their power to alter history. They will only have the will to do so if tens of thousands of people show them that enough is enough.

By giving more and better aid, fully canceling debt, and delivering trade justice for Africa, the G8 could change the future for millions of men, women and children," said Geldof

This historic movement of people towards the G8 summit would be the first of its kind in support of the relief of world debt. Ellen MacArthur is supporting the campaign and international transport and travel companies have pledged their support by providing planes, trains, coaches to get people to Edinburgh by Wednesday 6th July when world leaders arrive for the G8.

"It is at times like this that the power of individuals, coming together to tell their leaders what they believe in, can make the politicians make the big decisions that will make the lasting difference. Politicians respond to public opinion and public opinion needs to be heard more loudly and clearly in the next few weeks than it has ever been before.

The Long Walk to Justice will culminate on the eve of the G8 Summit on Wednesday 6th July with the final mass moment before the eyes of the world turn to those 8 men in that 1 room - one final chance to say now is the time, this is the year, YOU can make poverty history," said Geldof.

Press statement from Ellen MacArthur
"I have decided to put my name to the Make Poverty History campaign and support the Sail 8 initiative because all of us are responsible for the world and the environment we live in. I do not claim to fully understand all the issues involved but I believe that if we can make our world leaders take on this campaign to help Third World countries then we should. We live in a world that is no longer separated by time or distance and we cannot ignore the suffering or poverty that is effecting so many of the world's population. We have seen in the past how 'people power' can work and there is no doubt if everyone makes an effort to support this campaign the rewards will come for those that need it most. The Sail 8 initiative has been set up to encourage people to come from France via the main cross channel ferry operators or if they have the right qualifications and their own boat, and weather permitting, of course, they can sail across to Portsmouth or any other UK ports and head to Edinburgh. This is not a political crusade but a crusade to make your voice heard and to put an end to needless suffering."

web

 http://sail8.ybw.com/sail8/
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/4612621.stm
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/06/312715.html

Keith Parkins


Comments

Hide the following 8 comments

That's Bloody Nuts!

06.06.2005 18:07

Wow that's utterly nuts. Recreate the dunkirk spirit by getting lots of english boats to hop over and pick up our continental friends... inspired!

We want free passeneger ferries too!

Keep checking:  http://sail8.ybw.com/sail8/

One does wonder about immigration and customs mind, was all a bit different in the war wasn't it...?!?!

Admiral Kirk


International Festival of the Sea

06.06.2005 18:13


Though not sure about linking it with the International Festival of the Sea which runs in Portsmouth from June 30 to July 3 - there's gonna be the largest collection of warship moored up ever: With this year’s Festival following on from the International Fleet Review, a much larger representation of the World’s navies is expected to be berthed in Portsmouth Naval Base than has been the case in previous years. There will be ships from many of the Commonwealth navies, the Far East, Africa, the Americas, Eastern Europe and the Baltic Nations, mostly represented by warships of a wide range.

Lots of capacity for dunkirk spirit then!

 http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20050506132920ywnews.html
 http://www.festivalofthesea.co.uk

Capn


great madness

06.06.2005 19:05

wonderful to see the spirit unleashed by all this g(r)8 ness! kind of wish I had a little boat.

but not as much as I wish that people now getting involved - like ellen mcarthur - DID understand the issues involved, then maybe there would be less likelihood of yet another minor dose of debt relief shutting everyone up again after the summit.

the risk of this general ignorance is that when the party's over, the big names will leave those who fight (barely crawl! hah!) all day, every year for global justice to bang on about the World Bank, IMF, structural adjustment, corporate welfare and other ongoing issues that barely get a look into all this G8 hoohah, but which actually shape our world much more deeply than the issues raised by MPH (despite their fine ambitions...)

to get a better grip, check out the resources available through www.ifiwatchnet.org
and the films at www.ifiwatch.tv

and educate, educate, educate!!!

with love and fine flotillas

zoe
- Homepage: http://www.ifiwatchnet.org


BORIIIIIING

06.06.2005 19:18

STOP IT WITH YOUR FUCKING CHARITY APPROACH TO THINGS WHERE MANY RICH PEOPLE TELL MANY POOR PEOPLE TO GIVE THEIR MONEY FOR CHARITY. YOUR ALL SUCH A CELEBRITY OBSESSED COUNTRY YOU DONT REALISE THAT THESE CELEBRITIES WHO ENDORSE THE SAME SYSTEM THAT CREATES POVERTY TRY TO MAKE IT SEEM ONCE A YEAR THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING A CHANGE> BET IF WE DECIDED TO TAKE 3/4 OF THEIR WEALTH AND GIVE IT TO AFRICANS THEY WOULDNT BE THAT EXCITEd ABOUT THIS EVENT. BUT SINCE ITS U IDIOTS DOING IT THEN THEYRE MKAYY WITH IT. STOP STICKING UR HEADS UP CELEBRITIES ASSES AND LOOK AT THE REAL PROBLEM.

CAPITALISM WILL ALWAYS CREATE POVERTY BUT DONT EXPECT TO HEAR IT FROM THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BENEFITEd FROM IT.

THEYVE LOST THE PLOT


Is this really such a good idea...?

06.06.2005 22:51

The Coastguard is a bit concerned about this. The Dover Strait is the busiest shipping lane in the world and has a traffic seperation scheme which many mariners who sail in other UK waters will not be familiar with. The traditionally held view that power gives way to sail does not necessarily apply with large vessels constrained by their draught. Large numbers of small boats crossing at the same time increases the risk of close quarters situations and reduce the options for dealing with such situations. Many protesters will not be used to travelling in small boats and therefore not able to assist their skipper if required, some will be seasick, and some like to party and drink far more than is sensible around water. Small boats are also more vulnerable to the weather than large ships - your passengers could be dissapointed if its 6-7 occasionally 8 and you decide to stay home.

There is no shortage of capacity on channel tunnel, ferry (and if you must), air services, and this is by far the safest way to travel.

If you do provide transport to the UK, make sure you've made some arrangement for your passengers to get home again afterwards. And if you bring anyone without a passport or other suitable document and this comes to light and they are refused entry to the UK (unlikely, I know - when did you last see an immigration officer at a marina) it could cost you a GBP1000 per head civil penalty. Passengers with contraband could cost you your boat.

The Coastguard reports that they have had no contact will Geldof or any of his team about this. This suggests an alarming lack of planning to say the least.

Have a safe passage however you decide to travel.

mi


Flip to passenger ferries and free channel trains innit

07.06.2005 01:39

makes sense coastguard dude, happy sailing :-)

water wings


It's o.k.

07.06.2005 18:45

It's o.k to bring them here by boat but just how are they going to get to Scotland??

I don't think they realise that the trains tickets are 10 times more expenisive than everyone elses.. Heaven help them.. £110+ tickets. It's cheaper going by plane...tut ..whim.. moan..

dd
- Homepage: http://www.dissent.org.uk


anyone want a lift

30.06.2005 19:59

will be in boulogne on the 4th july in small boat coming back 5th then going straight to gleneagles any one want a lift

guy
mail e-mail: sophieandguy@btinternet.com


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