Fighting the fat cats in Nottingham

Report from Monica Conmee, Charlotte Grimley, Sophie Dodgeon
28 June

Jawaid Khaliq (world welterweight boxing champion) fights an unfair fight with Umar Mohammed age 10 Photo: Charlotte Grimley

Setting out from a statue of Robin Hood by the city walls, 200 campaigners, some dressed as 'Fat Cats', marched to the city centre behind a giant set of scales. The balance of the scales was symbolically redressed at noon, as the clock of the Council House chimed.

The highlight was a boxing match between International Boxing Federation World Welter-weight champion, Jawaid Kahliq, aged 32, and ten-year old boy Umar Mohammed. Jawaid said "This boxing match was a great symbol of the unfairness of the trade system. My opponent hasn't got a chance - like the big villain pushing the little one around."

The eye-catching event attracted local MPs - Vernon Coaker MP, John Heppell MP, Nick Palmer MP, and Alan Simpson MP - who were lobbied by campaigners at St Peter's church. Patrick Shannon, a lawyer, lobbied Vernon Coaker. "It was good to lobby my MP. .. We have a foot in the door that we are pushing against."

Charlotte Grimley, one of the organisers, was delighted. "What is most important about today is the strength of the movement for trade justice, shown by the different people taking part in today's event."

The event also helped to spread the trade justice message to passers-by. Russell Jones said: "I have not seen anything like this in Nottingham before. Seeing the colourful crowd made us stop and listen." Emma Barry, aged 14, agreed: "This event made people listen…I think it is good that people are speaking up for others."

Chris Bain, the new Director of CAFOD, reminded campaigners of the impact their actions are having: "Trade can make a difference between poverty and survival. My message for campaigners in the future is to keep hopeful, to keep watching to see what happens, and go back to your MP in October to find out what actions have been taken at Cancun. Together we can make a difference - and we have today."

"A good lesson from Nottingham is the idealised Robin Hood - that the rich can give up their power and wealth in order that the poor may survive," he added.

Dr Nick Palmer, MP for Broxtowe, lent his support: "I am outraged about trade injustice. I am surprised more people aren't outraged. Trade Justice is the biggest issue we have. I am pleased that a lot of people have turned up today - Nottingham people have shown that they care about people all over the world."

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