'24 HOURS FOR TRADE JUSTICE'

Campaigners plan first ever MP Lobby Marathon 
February 2003 - for immediate release

The Trade Justice Movement is mobilising for a Lobby Marathon this summer, when supporters will lobby all 659 MPs in their local constituencies over a 24 hour period. High profile celebrities will take part, and several MPs are already considering keeping their surgeries open all night to accommodate the number of people expected to attend.

Chris Holt, Trade Justice Movement Coordinator, said: "Last year we did it in London, when more than 12,000 people lobbied 346 MPs at the biggest ever Mass Lobby of Parliament. This time we're taking the message to where MPs hear it most - in their constituencies. We plan to lobby ALL 659 MPs over a 24 hour period."

Lobbying will take place between noon on Friday 27 June and noon on Saturday 28 June, ending with the Weigh in for Trade Justice, a huge symbolic action which will take place simultaneously at festivals, sports fixtures, rallies and celebrations all over the country. 

An online Action Exchange will enable TJM supporters to contact other campaigners in their area to share ideas and coordinate plans. The Action Exchange will go live in March and supporters are being urged to inundate MPs with letters from now through to September. The Write in for Trade Justice campaign aims to inform MPs about international trade issues, prepare them for lobbying, and encourage them to take up trade issues with the Government. Guidelines on taking part, and a downloadable letter, are available on   

Chris Holt continued, "2003 is a crucial year for trade justice. Our Government is preparing for the next big meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Mexico in September. Important decisions about international trade are on the agenda; the future of the lives of many of the world's poorest people and the environment are held in the balance. The 659 MPs in this country are 659 chances for change - we will make sure every one of them gets a clear message that British voters want the rules on international trade rewritten to benefit poor people and the environment."

Information about the events, including Action Guides for those taking part, will be added this site over the coming weeks - please visit again.

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