Pendle poverty campaigners lobby world leaders

from Pendle Today

CAMPAIGNERS from Pendle added their voices in London to a mass rally calling on world leaders to end global poverty.

CAFOD supporters were among thousands of campaigners and celebrities from all over the UK who called on Prime Minister Tony Blair and other world leaders to make the recent G8 summit a good one for the world's poorest people.

Monica Atherton said: "It was great to be part of this mass rally in London, standing shoulder to shoulder with our follow campaigners from around the UK and standing up for the poorest communities around the
world."

Monica was joined by her sister Maureen Whitehead, Anne Marie Coppock and Dominic Aunger, all seasoned campaigners. In 2005, they attended the Make Poverty History march in Edinburgh when 250,000 people marched before the G8 summit at Gleneagles.

The local campaigners travelled with CAFOD supporters from Clitheroe and Manchester, all wearing white. They gathered on the banks of the Thames at 2 p.m. when everyone set off alarm clocks or blew whistles – raising the alarm against poverty and calling for justice for millions worldwide.

Anne Marie said: "It's inspiring to see so many people willing to give up their time to stand alongside some of the poorest people of the world and raise their voice against the injustice of poverty. The message to the G8 is loud and clear – the World Can't Wait – they must deliver on all their promises and go further to end this injustice."