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Mass Parade Calls for Trade Justice

02 Nov 2001

Thousands of people will converge in central London on Saturday 3rd November for a Trade Justice Parade (1) to call for global trade rules that put people and the environment before profit.

The Parade will illustrate concerns about unfair trade rules with floats, giant puppets, samba bands and drummers, giving a carnival feel. A finale in Trafalgar Square will feature speakers Naomi Klein (author of No Logo), Sergio Cobo (of Fomento, a Mexican NGO working with small farmers and indigenous people) and Ed Sweeney (UNIFI General Secretary and Chair of TUC International Development Group). A massive banner calling for trade that works for the whole world will be unfurled.

The Parade takes place as world governments prepare to travel to Doha, Qatar for World Trade Organisation talks (2).

Speaking before the Parade, Marlene Barrett, spokesperson for the Trade Justice Movement, said:

"World trade is governed by rich countries who protect their own interests at the expense of the world's poor. We hope the Trade Justice Parade sends a clear message to Britain's Trade Minister Patricia Hewitt that British people want to see a trade system that benefits the whole world. Fairer and greener trade rules can help make the world a safer place."

Naomi Klein said:

"The challenge for social justice movements is to connect economic inequality with the security concerns that now grip us all - insisting that justice and equality are the most sustainable strategies against violence and fundamentalism."

Sergio Cobo said:

"People who live in rich countries count for only 20 per cent of the world's population, yet they get most of the fruits from globalisation. The world's poor, who count for 80 per cent, receive nothing. Is this really the type of globalisation we want? Let's globalise the struggle; let's globalise hope. We want to make trade work for all."

Ed Sweeney said:

"The WTO cannot carry on business as usual without undermining fundamental human rights. This Procession and the Global Unions Day of Action on the 9th give expression to the widely held view that international trade must benefit all and not just a few. The Doha meeting presents governments with an opportunity to demonstrate the will to construct an international trading system that puts people first, an opportunity not to be squandered."

www.tradejusticemovement.org.uk

Notes for Editors:

1. The Parade will leave from Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, outside the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1 at 1.30pm and process to Trafalgar Square (speakers at 3 pm).
   
2. The WTO ministerial is scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar from 9-13 November 2001.
   
3. The Parade is organised by the Trade Justice Movement, a new grouping of organisations who call for fundamental change to the unjust rules and institutions governing international trade. Members include Banana Link, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Fairtrade Foundation, Friends of the Earth, People and Planet, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, Traidcraft, War on Want and the World Development Movement.
   

Trade Justice Movement,
c/o CAFOD,
Romero Close,
Stockwell Road,
London SW9 9TY

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