Wake Up to Trade Justice – report back from venues

With over 25,000 trade justice campaigners descending overnight on Whitehall and Westminster on 15 April, the indoor venues used for the event were all overflowing. Apologies to those who could not get in anywhere due to the enormous turnout, but here is a flavour of what went on throughout the night.

Westminster Central Hall

Westminster Central Hall was at capacity all evening with all events completely full. People queued for hours to get into the warm and claim their cups of fairtrade tea and coffee. The Women’s Institute ladies kept everyone content throughout the event, serving non-stop. The entrance hall stalls area was packed with supporters finding out more about TJM’s member organisations and taking campaigning action. A large number of activities went on simultaneously, but highlights of the night include:

• Radiohead’s Thom Yorke performed a surprise acoustic set, which included a previously unheard song from their forthcoming album as well as old favourite "No Surprises". Thom also painted a giant canvas overnight as part of Stanley Donwood, called “Business School for the Dead”.
• An aerobics session was held at 2.30am to ‘Motivate for the G8’ when MakePovertyHistory goes to Edinburgh on July 2.
• The Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign made huge Gigantonas; puppets which are part of the country’s tradition of protest. They took the form of female giants representing Queen Isabella and Spanish imperial power. Gioconda Perez Arosteguí, a representative of the Gigantona Association of León, Nicaragua, delivered a message of solidarity from Trade Justice campaigners in Nicaragua.
• Chickens were set loose during the night, as Christian Aid showed solidarity with chicken farmers in Ghana, who are unable to sell their chickens due to cheaper birds imported from Europe.
• The venue was packed with supporters of all ages - from babies in buggies to pensioners sleeping.
• The white band petition to hand in to Downing Street was crammed with thousands of signatures.
• The breakfast queue stretched the full length of the venue, but were deftly dealt with by the servers, who dished out thousands of breakfasts in an impressively fast production line. People who had been outside all night and not managed to get into any venue, entered the building still smiling to claim breakfast.

Trade Justice cinemas, comedy and faith spaces

The film screenings were extremely popular, both at Westminster Central Hall and the Odeon and Vue cinemas near Leicester Square. At Westminster Central Hall, the ‘Arts of Resistance: Films for Trade Justice’ became standing-room only, as supporters came in from the cold to watch films including The Yes Men and The Corporation. The comedy event ‘Gagging for Trade Justice’ was also very successful, with campaigners staying awake from midnight in the best possible way, splitting their sides to sharp comedy slots from Marcus Brigstocke, Andrew Maxwell and Ivor Dembina.

Central Hall also hosted a Trade Justice Prayer Room, a quiet, creative space for supporters to pray for an end to unjust trade rules, with inspirational reflective material, installations and led prayers. There was also a Wake Up! Ecumenical Service at St Martin’s, organised by Christian TJM members, which was very lively, even at 2.30am. It was an important moment for those attending to join together for prayer, inspiration, education and challenge.

St Margaret’s Church

Debate

Shortly after Big Ben struck midnight, people started pouring into St Margaret’s Church to see the Trade Justice debate: ‘Is Free Trade Fair?’ organised by Christian Aid and Oxfam. By 20 minutes past, the vergers were forced to bar the gates as full capacity had been reached.

Alan Beattie, World Trade Editor of the Financial Times, chaired the ensuing debate and introduced the panellists who had bravely agreed to pit their wits at such a late hour: Martin Khor, Third World Network and Prosper Hoeyi, Oxfam Ghana on the side of fairtrade Vs Sean Gabb, Libertarian Alliance and Alex Singleton, Globalization Institute.

A lively debate was held, with both sides enjoying the occasion.

Singing workshops

For two overnight singing sessions, St Margaret’s was full to capacity with at least 600 people crammed inside. Within minutes of the start of each session, host Emily Walker had everyone on their feet and singing in 4 parts, just with the power of her voice. With protest and worship songs from around the world, people joined together to make a glorious sound – even though it was the middle of the night.

By the end of the second workshop, it was getting light. The audience realised that the night was over and that they had made it through to the morning march. Apologies to those queuing outside who were unable to get in to the venue, but well done for getting into the spirit of things with your own impromptu singing session!

Church House

Every session in Church House was packed full of enthusiastic trade justice activists. Events started off with a workshop by ActionAid and CAFOD about Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), and gave campaigners the information and ideas for action that could stop the damaging aspects of EPAs. This was followed by a drama event by Credo Arts about how people could take to the stage for trade justice. The final presentation was about privatisation of water and how that has hurt poor people in the developing world.

Mothers Union

Up to 1,000 people passed through the candlelit Fairtrade Chillout cafe in the basement of the Mothers Union. Those in the long queue oustide were served drinks and snacks by cafe staff whilst inside, live music from Briony Greenhill, Redkite, Transition and The Race provided the perfect backdrop as campaigners took a well earned rest. Dozens also took the opportunity to make a Trade Justice flag, placard or banner to use in the morning procession. The venue was run by CAFOD, Christian Aid, The Fairtrade Foundation, People & Planet and Tearfund.

St Martin-in-the-Fields

The church was full all night, with  thousands of campaigners visiting the venue to enjoy an evening of music, comedy, drama and conversation. They were  entertained with music from Thea Gilmore, Andy Thornton and Martin John Nicholls and his Pretty Good Band, comedy from Paul Kerensa, and drama from the Sweet Bean Theatre company. Martin Drewry, Head of Campaigns at Christian Aid, told the audience “the 25,000 people here tonight are delivering a clear message to our politicians, that we need trade justice not free trade”.

Marquee Club Night

Radio one DJ Bobby Friction, Brave Captain and Gruff from the Super Furry Animals turned out to play to a sell-out crowd at the Marquee well into the early hours. This event attracted a large new crowd of young Trade Justice supporters. Campaigners were ferried up and down Whitehall between the club in Leicester Square and the Westminster venues by enthusiastic rickshaw drivers, whose vehicles had been specially decked out with yellow “Get on Board for Trade Justice” signs.

White Band hand in:

Jessica Bloomfield, from Downfield School and Stroud People & Planet group, and Andrew Gwaivangmin from Tearfund partner RURCON in Nigeria, handed the giant white band signed throughout the night by campaigners in to Downing Street.

Jessica said: "25,000 people supported the Trade Justice Movement in London and I felt very privileged and proud to present the Trade Justice white band petition with Andrew at No. 10 Downing Street. The experience was fantastic and empowering, one which I will never forget. The Trade Justice Movement needs all our support; it is the only way we are going to achieve a fair future and tackle poverty."

Andrew added: “I am very humbled because I can see that people really care about poverty in the developing world and the issues affecting us as a result of free trade. There is real determination for something to be done. The fact that people are willing to spend the whole night here calling for change makes it an important issue. It is a big privilege to be here.” 

Reports from the events

» Westminster Abbey opening event
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