[UK] Plan for rally to mark success of historic anti-poverty march

from The Scotsman

ANTI-POVERTY campaigners today announced plans to hold an annual rally on the Meadows to mark the anniversary of last year's Make Poverty History march.

The World Development Movement - one of the organisers of last summer's historic march, which attracted 200,000 demonstrators to the Capital - will hold a small festival this year at the Augustine United Church on George IV Bridge.

But the festival is intended to grow into a major event in the city's calendar which will continue to promote the message of last summer's mass protest.

Harriet Grant, chair of the Edinburgh & Lothians World Development Movement, which is co-organising next month's inaugural World Justice Festival, said: "The Make Poverty History march in Edinburgh was a huge event that made a considerable difference in terms of helping to raise awareness about global poverty.

"But although it was a great success, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to make sure that the campaign stays a priority, which is why we want to hold an annual event to mark its anniversary. We would have liked to have a march or a big public event to act as a focal point for the festival this year, but unfortunately the event wasn't organised in time.

"But we're hoping that the festival will become a yearly event and that we will be able to have a big gathering or a march in the Meadows in future years.

"It is vital to try and keep the momentum from last year's march going."

The first World Justice Festival takes place on Saturday, July 1, featuring stalls, a drumming workshop and discussion forums looking at issues surrounding last year's G8 summit in Gleneagles, followed by a world music concert at the Left Bank on Guthrie Street.

The event is being co-organised and supported by a host of other organisations, who were affiliated with last year's Make Poverty History march and G8 events in the city, including Jubilee Scotland, Stop The War, Amnesty International and Mercy Corps.

Ms Grant added: "This festival aims to provide a focus for the people of Edinburgh to make a renewed commitment to bring an end to world poverty. We'll be hosting discussions and workshops for people to come and find out what has happened since the G8 summit in Gleneagles last summer and what they can do to make a difference."

Ben Young, joint national co-ordinator at Edinburgh-based anti-poverty organisation Jubilee Scotland, added: "What's so wonderful about Make Poverty History is that it has inspired people all over Scotland to take action and set things going on their own initiative.

"I believe that these many small events are just as important as the huge march last July. When the next great campaign comes, its strength will be drawn from events like the Edinburgh World Justice Festival, which are knitting together communities and keeping the issues alive."

The Meadows currently hosts the annual May Day parade, the free Fringe Sunday showcase in August and the breast cancer charity Moonwalk, which takes place this Saturday .

Council leader Donald Anderson said: "The city has a long history of hosting events, including last year's Make Poverty History March during the G8 period, which was one of the city's proudest moments.

"The council supported the march and its aims to do something meaningful about poverty and debt in Africa. We would be keen to work with MPH again and see how we can assist the World Justice Festival."
Did last summer's Make Poverty History march make a difference?

Simon Moriarty, 35, barman, East Fountainbridge: "I think the march has made a difference because it helped to raise a lot of awareness about the issue."

Alan Macdonald, 47, IT worker, Ferry Road: "I don't think it has made much of a difference. A lot of people came to Edinburgh and I suppose it helped to raise awareness. Ultimately, it's down to the politicians to make the changes."

Christine Marlow, 32, tax consultant, Lothian Road: "It hasn't made a difference because poverty hasn't been consigned to history. It's still there and it's still a huge global problem."

Warren Pike, 48, teacher, Lonsdale Terrace: "It was a great event and I think it really captured people's imaginations at the time. As it was all about raising awareness for the cause, I think it has had a lot of impact on the way people think about world poverty.

Danielle Taylor, 20, student Leith Walk: "To have so many people coming to Edinburgh for the march proved that it was a big issue that a lot of people were passionate about. The amount of publicity it gained around the world proved that it was definitely worthwhile."

Victoria Devine, 24, receptionist, Lauriston Gardens: "I think the Make Poverty History event probably had more of an effect than the Live 8 concert at Murrayfield. With Live 8, I think it was more about the celebrities rather than the message."