G8: Stand Up and Be Counted
You probably have heard that there is a G8 summit in Gleneagles (just north of Edinburgh) in July. Many groups are organizing events mainly in Edinburgh, such as a MakePovertyHistory rally, a counter conference with People & Planet, Friends of the Earth etc, and anti-capitalist groups undertaking series of nonviolent direct actions. (More on "why" and "what")
Locally, DoSummat (also see http://summat.sakeos.net/) are running a series of G8 workshops and hope to take a couple of vans. There's also various cycle rides either starting from or passing through Manchester on their way to Edinburgh. A group of 10 cyclists promoting the MakePovertyHistory rally will be cycling on Mon 27 June from Piccadilly Gardens (nr Oldham St) between 8am & 9.30am before heading up Bury Old Road towards the next campaigning stop, Blackburn, cycling about 60 miles a day & staying in Youth Hostels en route, arriving in Edin-burgh on Fri 1 July. More info from Matt (0161 339 9296, mattpostlethwaite2002@yahoo.co.uk).
The preceeding Friday 24 the Dissent (anti-capitalism) cyclists from all over the world who are cycling from Brighton to Edinburgh will be joining in the (semi-)regular Critical Mass (6pm, Central Lib) and picking up new riders bound for the G8.
If cycling's not your cup of tea then there's a Manchester transport & accommodation hotline (07734 423 050) & Make Poverty History needs volunteers to steward at the 2 July Edinburgh rally. This is the campaign's most significant action to date and it is a priority for us to get as many people involved as possible. Volunteers will travel up to Newcastle by coach on Friday 1 July and stay there for the night. The following morning you will go up to Edin-burgh to be a steward and a representative for the Make Poverty History rally. The event will be a fun day full of events, stalls & actions and will have a festival feel. More importantly, this is our chance as a movement to raise the stakes for the campaign and let world leaders know that there can be no more excuses.
On Sunday you will return home after being a part of the country's largest & loudest call to Make Poverty History. All travel and accommodation will be paid for. If you want to help please email scaffarate@oxfam.org.uk
Finally, the annual Unity Festival held on the first Sat of July has been postponed to allow people to head to Scotland to ensure that Blair and other world leaders take this opportunity to stamp out debt and stop climate change.
Post G8
There will be a briefing on Tuesday 19 July, 7.30-9pm in the Mechanics Institute. For more information contact Chris at Oxfam on 0161 838 5620.
MakePovertyHistory Walk
MPH walkers on the Cheshire/Manchester leg of the debt march to the G8 passed through Manchester, stopping off at the Peace Garden for a media call with the Rev Simon Topping (walk leader), the Bishop of Manchester and the Lord Mayor & Mayoress.
Related Articles
Home
STOP PRESS
Latest newsletter
Events listing
Campaign contacts
Resources
Network for Success
Subscribe now!
Search this site
© Networking Newsletter (June 2005)