Campaigners converge in Newcastle

By Sophie Dodgeon and Martin Gordon
28 June

500 Trade Justice campaigners marched from five different starting points in Newcastle this morning, dressed in five different colours, to make a colourful call for trade justice.

Olivia (8years) and Alex Sacco (20 years) Olivia:" I like helping people. We're here so that people can be paid fairly - and can pay for the food that they need" Image: CAFOD/ Leticia Valverdes

They converged at Grey's Monument waving banners and flags, and accompanied by drummers. As clocks struck noon, a minute's silence was held and scales were lifted up by the crowd to symbolise how trade rules are weighted against the poor.

Julian Filowchowski, former director of CAFOD, highlighted the amazing amount of campaigning all across the country, with tens of thousands of people uniting together for the Weigh in at noon.

Jim Cousins, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, was lobbied by campaigners who explained why trade rules need to be rewritten.

Among the group was Michael from Kenya, who spoke out on behalf of those living in poverty in the developing world. 'We don't need charity,' he explained, 'We need trade justice'.

The day continues with more Newcastle MPs to be lobbied into the evening, a sponsored walk across each of the city's bridges, plus singing and a ceilidh.

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