Massive Trade Justice Protest 15 April - Programme Announced

!! FULL PROGRAMME NOW AVAILABLE!!
 http://www.tjm.org.uk/wakeup/TradeJustice15April2005.pdf

April 15th 2005 Special Event
Time 10:00 pm - 8:00 am
Wake Up to Trade Justice
Location Westminster and Whitehall/LONDON UK
Organised by the Trade Justice Movement

WAKE UP TO TRADE JUSTICE

Campaigners and activists will join stars from stage, screen and the music world among thousands of people rallying in Westminster on Friday 15 April to call for Trade Justice not free trade.

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke said, "It's an overnight 'happening' – and it’s happening at the same time as many events all around the world. I'm going with a sleeping bag and a paint brush and maybe even a guitar if I can get it in the suitcase."

The all-night vigil, organised by the Trade Justice Movement (www.tjm.org.uk) as part of a Global Week of Action for Trade Justice (www.april2005.org), will start with a special public gathering at Westminster Abbey (10-11pm) followed by a 'Human White Band' around Parliament Square (www.tjm.org.uk/wakeup/whiteband.shtml).

At midnight, thousands will gather outside Downing Street with spectacular lanterns and candles, to call on the UK Government to stop pushing poor countries to open up their economies and respect their right to decide on trade policies which will help them end poverty and protect their environment. The vigil will continue all night, culminating in a dawn procession and delegations meeting representatives from the main UK political parties.

Glen Tarman, Trade Justice Movement coordinator, said:
“It’s going to be an amazing night. If you care about those living in poverty across the world – come and join us if you can. If you cannot stay up all night please come to Whitehall before midnight on Friday 15 April. Help us wake up UK politicians to the fact that the British public have had enough of the way global trade is run in our name to benefit rich countries and hurt poor ones.”

The all night programme has a huge range of activities throughout the night to appeal to everyone from activists to first-time protestors, from clubbers to faith groups including:

- Opening event Westminster Abbey (public event, free, doors open at 9pm)
www.tjm.org.uk/wakeup/abbey.shtml

- Club night at the Marquee Club in Leicester Square featuring Nitin Sawhney, Radio 1 DJ Bobby Friction and other artists www.tjm.org.uk/wakeup/club.shtml

- Trade Justice cinema at the Odeon Panton Street and Methodist Central Hall with free screenings of The Yes Men, Life and Debt, Naomi Klien's The Take and The Corporation. www.tjm.org.uk/wakeup/whiteband.shtml

- Comedy  http://www.tjm.org.uk/wakeup/comedy.shtml

- Workshops on trade issues, campaigning, G8 and making poverty history in 2005 www.tjm.org.uk/wakeup/workshops.shtml

- Faith spaces including a late night ecumenical service www.tjm.org.uk/wakeup/faith.shtml

- Overnight fair trade café with breakfast served in the morning

A fleet of rickshaws to give free rides to all the different venues and along the amazing spectacle of Whitehall lit up by thousands of candles and lights.

Around the world, the Global Week of Action for Trade Justice will see hundreds of events in over 70 countries worldwide.

For further information see the Trade Justice Movement website www.tjm.org.uk

Notes:
1. The Trade Justice Movement is a coalition of over 65 organisations including aid agencies, environment and human rights campaigns, fairtrade organisations, trade unions, faith and consumer groups. The movement’s member organisations represent over 9 million British voters.
2. Trade Justice is one of the key calls of MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY, supported by over 370 UK organisations.
3. The Global Week of Action will be the biggest mobilisation yet on trade, with events in every continent including all of the G8 countries. For more information see www.april2005.org/media.