Archived press release

Stars Come Out For Trade Justice

23 March 2005

Stars from stage, screen and the music world will be among thousands of people rallying in Westminster on Friday 15 April to call for trade justice not free trade.

Singer Ronan Keating said:

"It will be an important event with millions of people all over the world calling for trade justice. A candlelit vigil outside Downing Street will be the biggest this country has ever seen. So come and be part of making history that night."

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 as part of a Global Week of Action for Trade Justice, will start with a special gathering at Westminster Abbey which will include songs and readings presented by Vanessa Redgrave, Pete Postlethwaite, Simon Mayo and others.

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 political parties.

Friends of the Earth Trade Campaigner Eve Mitchell 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 Downing Street just 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 clubbers to faith groups including:

• Club night at the Marquee Club in Leicester Square featuring Nitin Sawhney, Radio 1 DJ Bobby Friction and other artists
• Trade justice cinemas at the Odeon Panton Street and Methodist Central Hall
• Overnight fair trade café with breakfast served in the morning
• A fleet of rickshaws to give the public free rides to all the different venues and along the amazing spectacle of Whitehall lit up by thousands of candles and lanterns

Around the world, the Global Week of Action for Trade Justice will see hundreds of events in over 70 countries worldwide. See http://april2005.org/media/

Notes

1. The Trade Justice Movement is a coalition of over 60 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 300 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.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust