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Westminster Abbey 15 April 2005 Opening gathering for the Wake Up to Trade Justice all-night vigil Speech by Barbara Crowther, Fairtrade Foundation, on behalf of the Trade Justice Movement Tonight we are here to make history. This week, we have already been making history. It was in November 2003 that a group of dedicated campaigners from around the world gathered in Delhi, and made a unique commitment to join efforts in a Global Week of Action for trade justice. That vision has this week been played out in over 80 countries around the world where conferences, concerts, protests, ballots and lobbies have been held. On behalf of the Trade Justice Movement, we’re delighted to welcome Farhad Mazar representing our global partners – as a poet, pharmacist, environmentalist and activist, Farhad is at the forefront of Bangladesh’s campaign for economic justice. Tonight in this Abbey we are 5000. But we are just one link in a chain of hundreds of events and tens of thousands of people across the UK from Aberdeen to Arundel, Bury St Edmunds to Belfast, Jersey to Jarrow – who have united this week in one voice for trade justice, not free trade. And as surely as this night will turn to day, we know that another world is possible. Our campaign for trade justice marches with the spirit of the slave abolitionists and the debt abolitionists. Of the people who have campaigned against the tyranny of apartheid, and the terror of landmines. Of those who fought for the right to vote. And I can reveal tonight that the number of people who have voted for trade justice has now reached one quarter of a million. We’re building up to a general election. Tony Blair has called it the Big Choice. And the choices that we make in this year of 2005 will go down in history. It is our chance to ensure that future generations will say that it was on such a night as this, that the people of the UK voted to say NO to forced liberalisation of trade in developing countries, and YES to trade that puts the needs of people and the planet before profits. In such a night as this (they will say), did Ghana send live chickens to its parliament, did 1000 Filipino farmers demand agricultural reform, did people in Glasgow fast for 24 Hours, did 5 lunatics dress up as chickens in Liverpool, did a wedding party get dumped with rice in Birmingham – did we say NO to the ripping open of local agricultural markets by demands for reciprocity in regional trade agreements, and YES to the right to food and food security, to decent livelihoods and sustainable production. In such a night as this, did Bangladesh stage 30 events across the land in protest at the privatisation of their water and health care, did a funeral procession circled the EU Headquarters in Brussels, did children in Blackpool pass-the-bucket for trade justice – did we say NO to the forced liberalisation of water through WTO trade in services negotiations, and YES to the right to health and clean water supplies for all, rich and poor. In such a night as this, did students and young people in Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador and Gambia raise their voices for fair trade, did radio stations and TV stations voice the call for trade justice in Congo, in Nigeria and Paraguay – did we say NO to the wholesale privatisation of essential services, and YES to the right to education. In such a night, did Gordon turn to Tony and say, you know I think I hear the sound of Rwandan drums. And they recalled the historic Africa Commission pledge that rich countries should not force liberalisation on developing countries, but have the right to choose their own path on trade. And politicians of all parties realised that wise words are no substitute for action. That drum beat is the heartbeat of this nation. Beating for trade justice. Not just tonight, but growing ever louder as we move towards the WTO meeting at the end of this year. Calling for 2005 to go down in history. It may be night, but we are wide awake. This is just the start of a phenomenal experience: a night packed with music, comedy, film, debate, art, prayer – I’m worried no-one will have time for a Fairtrade breakfast! But let us remember that as we form our white band of light and hold a minute’s silence at midnight, as we join the mass vigil at 4am, our message is that we cannot rest, we will not rest whilst so many lives are being destroyed by injustice in trade. And as the first light creeps over our morning procession around Westminster, our message will be one of hope, and solidarity. A new dawn is coming. Trade Justice is coming. It’s time to wake up. Reports from the events »
Westminster Abbey opening event
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