Thousands attend MPH Rally in Belfast

antrim | miscellaneous | news report

Monday June 06, 2005 15:45

by Jon Glackin - MPHNI/Street Seen

streetseen at hotmail dot co dot uk

07743275533

MOTIV8 4 G8

"I'm here because it’s about time my generation actually took some action rather than watching things on TV and thinking 'isn't that awful?' "
Zoe Anderson, 26, East Belfast

"Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.
Of course the task will not be easy. But not to do this would be a crime against humanity, against which I ask all humanity now to rise up.
Make Poverty History in 2005. Make History in 2005. Then we can all stand with our heads held high....
Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.
While poverty persists, there is no true freedom."
Nelson Mandela

Thousands of people braved the changeable Belfast weather on Saturday 4th June to register their support for the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign at a rally organized by the NI coalition at Customs House Square, Belfast.
The Rally was supported by an array of Community groups, Church leaders, Trade Unions, Aid agencies, students, Sports People and concerned individuals.

Celebrity supporters of the campaign and musicians such as Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol, Brian Houston and Talking Drum shared a platform with a broad cross-section of civil society in what proved to be the biggest rally on global poverty in Northern Ireland in recent memory.

Deborah Doherty, a spokesperson for the coalition said, “We were delighted to see a really wide range of people turn up today- there were a few thousand here. We had a colourful event- N. Ireland has truly joined the global campaign to send a strong message to Tony Blair and G8 leaders- do something in July to cancel world debt.”

People from all backgrounds and walks of life showed up at the rally at Laganside’s new development in Custom House Square. A collection of colourful banners from Amnesty, Students Against Poverty and a host of other groups added to the carnival atmosphere.

Gary Lightbody, Lead Singer of Snow Patrol, addressing the large crowd stated, “We've been heavily involved in Make Poverty History for the past year. We still see poverty still happening - you can't believe that it's still the same situation 20 years later since Live Aid. The reason is these countries are being crushed under the weight of debt. There is a solution and it's a simple one. We have to take responsibility. Our governments have to say ‘no more’. We can't go on like this. As a generation, we have to stand up and say ‘no more’. When our leaders go into the G8 summit, they have to know the whole world is demanding they pay attention to Africa and all the Third World countries.”

The rally attracted broad cross community support for the aims of MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY, Margaret Ward, Women's Support Network said of the day "The Women's Support Network came today to support the aims of Make Poverty History because it is often women who face the harsh realities of raising families in extreme poverty. The eradication of poverty is linked to the empowerment of women and women in Northern Ireland want our voices to be heard"

"I'm here today because I think those of us who live in wealthy countries have a moral responsibility to help people in the developing world. We can't just sit back and let children die unnecessarily" Anna Lo. Chinese Welfare Association

"I'm here because it’s about time my generation actually took some action rather than watching things on TV and thinking 'isn't that awful?' " Zoe Anderson, 26, East Belfast

" We came along with our families because we think its important that we teach our children to look beyond their own lives and develop empathy with children and young people from other countries who are much less well of than they are." Anne and Hugh Moore, parents of three children, North Belfast.

"Today's older generation have had to endure ongoing poverty and discrimination and they want to show solidarity with older people across the globe who will continue to live in poverty if the aims of Make Poverty History are not met." Seamus Lynch, Help the Aged.

“Here at the East Belfast Community Development Association we deal with poverty and exclusion everyday. Of course the nature and scale of the poverty is different but the human experience is the same. We have come here to stand in solidarity with people in developing countries and to send a message to the G8 that says enough is enough" Michael Briggs, Director, East Belfast Community Development Association.

The event was addressed by a broad cross-section of Church leaders, Gary and Nathan from the Bangor band, Snow Patrol, and Binnie Mwatasungula, a representative from the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in N. Malawi who moved the large crowd as he spoke of the reality of living with Poverty. Binnie’s words brought a hushed silence as he related his experiences of a country where 49% living in rural areas have no access to clean water.

The crowd was entertained by Brian Houston and his band, Talking drum and compered by BBCs David 'Rigsy' O'Reilly.

For more information on the campaign and travel arrangements for Edinburgh visit our website www.makepovertyhistory-ni.org

MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY NI is a broad coalition made up of : Oxfam ,Trocaire, Christian Aid, Street Seen, NIPSA, NICVA, Help The Aged , War On Want, Save The Children, Concern, C of I Bishops Appeal, Tear Fund, Comhlamh, ARN, Send My Friend to School, QUB Campaigning Group, ICTU

save preference

Comments (15 of 15)

Well done!

by Shane OCurry - Making Poverty History, Derry

Mon Jun 06, 2005 16:29

I hope Derry Making Poverty History event on June 25 - a white band around the walls with bands playing - can do justice to the cause, given our limited resources. Well done! This was an inspiration.

Yes

by Well Done

Mon Jun 06, 2005 16:39

Inspiring stuff. Well done to the organisers and to the thousands who braved the inter changeable weather to attend the rally

oops!

by Jon Glackin

Mon Jun 06, 2005 16:53

Ive just noticed on the MPHNI coalition members I left out the NIAPN (Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network)
Apologies...

no politics here

by keep em out

Mon Jun 06, 2005 19:57

the mph event was notable for the complete lack of politics. what a waste!

Well done

by Sean

Mon Jun 06, 2005 20:21

Organisers brought thousands of Catholics and Protestants in a Rally against Poverty onto Belfasts Streets. They are also to bus hundreds over to the G8. It is not revolution but it is a start. What have you done, anything notable.

is right

by KEO

Mon Jun 06, 2005 20:35

think of it, have we ever had so many church leaders in one place before? and they all got to say their bit! what a step we have taken.

The north needs more church leaders telling everyone else what to do.

Yes a good start Fight Poverty G8 here we come

by The fear of god

Mon Jun 06, 2005 20:53

They did not all get to say their bit. They where given one line to read of a pre written script as far as I seen. Which included trade unionists community workers sports people, anti racist people local poverty workers. Just some of the people I knew. You disagree with the MPH but they got thousands of people form across the communities out onto the streets against poverty. I think that is good to see in belfast even though I do not support everything about them.

by w -dissent - Dissent

Mon Jun 06, 2005 21:35

dissentireland at yahoo dot com

0877412431

There's still room on the dissent busses, 100 for ten days 1st-10th of july and 90 for 3days 5th-7th of july.

well done

by seán - sap

Tue Jun 07, 2005 15:14

students_against_poverty at hotmail dot com

It was a really well organised day was very well attended and the message was clear to all, get active. There is no doubt that it was a great start and we need to keep the momentum going particularly in relation to getting people to the G8. There is also the matter of relating it to local poverty issues and campaigns(water tax etc). But the foundations have been layed and MPHni should be applauded for their effort and for actually doing something to raise awareness.

Hear hear

by Yep

Tue Jun 07, 2005 15:53

Well done MPH NI for getting the message out. Agree with Sean it was a success, and now the foundations have been laid and the word is out, that will make it easier to win more onboard to relate it to the local.SAP should also be applauded for their turn out, well done

by Jim

Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:31

Congratulations to all involved with MPHNI. A great day that as Jon wrote was very moving in parts, the click ad re-enactament was most inspiring. Every 3 seconds a child dies due to preventable poverty. Thanks for raising the issue graphically. Keep it up

Brilliant work

by Top Show

Wed Jun 08, 2005 13:22

What a day and it is still all over the news

MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Rally Dublin

by Jon Glackin - Street Seen

Thu Jun 09, 2005 12:02

Dublin Rally Starting At Parnell Street

6.30pm, Thursday June 30th
Eve of World White Band Day
Music, Speakers, Street Theatre

Route
Parnell Street to the Department of Foreign Affairs

Theme
Ahead of the meeting of the G8 leaders in Scotland, on the eve of Global White Band Day, we stand in Solidarity with the Poor of the world asking the G8 to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY by doing three things:
Drop the Debt,
More and Better Aid
Trade Justice

Motiv8 4 G8

Fri Jun 10, 2005 14:59

On behalf of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Northern Ireland coalition we would like to thank and congratulate the thousands of people who joined us at Custom House Square on Saturday 4th June who added their voices to the Global call of Action for 2005 to eradicate Global Poverty. The Motiv8 4 G8 rally was one of a series held by the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY coalition in the UK in various cities in the run up to our mass rally in Edinburgh on 2nd July.

Make Poverty History Northern Ireland is an unprecedented coalition of Aid Agencies, Voluntary and Community Groups, Student groups and Trade unions brought together to urge governments and international decision makers to rise to the challenge of 2005 that we have set. We are calling for urgent and meaningful policy change on three critical and inextricably linked areas: trade, debt and aid.

By mobilising popular support across a unique string of events and actions, Make Poverty History NI intends to press our own government and representives to compel rich countries to fulfil their obligations and promises to help eradicate poverty.

Every three seconds a child dies due to preventable poverty, the time it takes to click your fingers. We believe 2005 offers us a unique and important opportunity to make a difference.

What can you do? July 1st is designated as an official 'White Band Day', where millions of people around the world will wear a white band in solidarity with the poorest of the poor. Wear a home-made or charity white band on this day and encourage your friends and colleagues to join you. The Waterfront Hall in Belfast will wear its own massive white band on the day- we encourage other buildings to follows suit.

On 6 July 2005, the 8 leaders of the world’s richest and most powerful countries meet for the G8 summit in Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland. A powerful message will be sent from Belfast to Edinburgh from Saturday's rally to these decision makers and we encourage people to join us in Edinburgh on the 2nd July at our mass global mobilisation attempting to Make Poverty History. Book your place on a coach to Edinburgh now by visiting www.makepovertyhistory-ni.org. Alternatively, attend the 30th June rally in Dublin where thousands are expected to gather just prior to the Edinburgh event. For details see www.makepovertyhistory.ie.

Nelson Mandela formally launching the campaign in London this year stated "Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.”

Every single day, 30,000 people are dying, needlessly, of extreme poverty. More than were dying needlessly at the time of Live Aid 20 years ago. Dying of AIDS, dying of hunger, dying of diseases like TB and Diarrhoea. Dying, often for want of medicines which we can buy over the counter in a local chemist.

We encourage you to join us to try and put a stop to this scandal.

Make Poverty History Northern Ireland Coalition,
Oxfam ,Trocaire, Christian Aid, Street Seen, NIPSA, NICVA, Help The Aged , War On Want, Save The Children, Concern, C of I Bishops Appeal, Tear Fund, Comhlamh, ARN, QUB Campaigning Group, ICTU, NIAPN

Update

Thu Jun 16, 2005 18:55

MakePovertyHistory NI website has been updated with images from the Motiv8 4 G8 rally in Belfast.

http://www.makepovertyhistory-ni.org/event_motiv8_roundup.html

Details of MPH Buses from Belfast:

http://www.makepovertyhistory-ni.org/action_bookaseat.html

Number of comments per page

Upcoming Events

New Events

Other Press

User Preferences

Feeds

Blog Feeds

Public Inquiry

Human Rights in Ireland

Lockdown Skeptics

Voltaire Network

Thousands attend MPH Rally in Belfast

Comments (15 of 15)