Manchester Wipes Out the Debt in the Fountains
Commemorating World Debt Day, Mancunians signed petitions and energetically set about wiping out the debts of the poorest countries in the Piccadilly fountains. The petitions called on the Finance Ministers of the world's rich countries to wipe out all the debts of the poorest countries as part of this year's MakePovertyHistory campaign. The Wipe Out Debt stunt in the fountains was great fun symbolising the millions of children whose lives have already been made happier through health care and schools funded by debt cancellation.
Campaigner Eileen Hayes said "It's a great excuse to act like kids and enjoy ourselves whilst making the point that after all their promises a billion people are still living in poverty which we could afford to end!"
World Debt Day, 16 May marks the day in 1998 when 70,000 supporters of the Jubilee 2000 campaign surrounded the G8 in Birmingham and brought the meeting to a halt. Action is still needed since poor countries in Africa are still giving banks $10bn/year which should be used for poverty reduction.
Dave, World Development Movement (0161 428 9929, dave@davepearce.me.uk)
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© Networking Newsletter (June 2005)