Philip Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, heard the message before he had even arrived at the event when 22 children, from 6 to 12 years old, lobbied him on the train into Manchester. Arriving in the city centre, the young campaigners performed a Trade Justice rap in St. Ann's Square, each dressed to represent a country that is losing out from unfair trade rules.
Noon Friday 27 to noon Saturday 28 June was the Trade Justice Movement's main event of the year: 24 hours when MPs were lobbied for fairer world trade. On the Saturday, 250 people gathered in St Ann's Square to add their weight to the call for trade justice. A corner of the square became "the lobbying corner" as city centre MP, Tony Lloyd, heard the call for trade justice from his constituents. A billboard announced that a fantastic total of 25 of 28 MPs in the Manchester area had been lobbied.
Campaigners heard how trade rules impact on Kenya from Mutuwa Waema, who is studying economics at the University of Manchester. The host of the event was local radio presenter Mike Shaft from Greater Manchester Radio and there was live music from "Hohodza", a Zimbabwean band. Duncan Green from CAFOD explained how unfair rules are hurting the poor around the world and the Bishop of Middleton also lent his voice to the campaign.
Crowds then joined the nationwide "weigh in" as the bells of St. Ann's Church rang out and hundreds of Trade Justice balloons were released. By the end of the event, almost 50,000kgs (50 tonnes) of Mancunian passers-by had added their weight to the message, literally, by stepping on to the industrial scales!
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Chris, Oxfam (0161 838 5620)
Manchester Trade Justice Movement
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