Make Poverty History

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 10 May 2005, 18:30

http://www.makepovertyhistory.org/

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 10 May 2005, 19:47

I've been swithering about taking my son on the Edinburgh march planned during the G8 summit. He's keen to go along (especially after the lecture I gave him about fake 'fashion' wristbands ripping off charities and why his fabric one from 'Oxfam' is the 'proper' one

) but I'm concerned that there may be some trouble. What do other folk think? Any crystal ball readers out there?

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 10 May 2005, 19:59

As long as you can outrun the rubber bullets and teargas, you'll be fine.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 10 May 2005, 20:05

ecm wrote:As long as you can outrun the rubber bullets and teargas, you'll be fine.

I sincerely hope not, myself and friends are planning to attend.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 10 May 2005, 20:49

Everyone I know involved with the Police has told me to stay away from town for the duration. They are expecting trouble (not necessarily from the Poverty March) and gearing up for it.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 10 May 2005, 20:50

Orphaned by AIDS, Children from Africa appearing at St. Phillip's Joppa

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinb ... =504612005

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 10 May 2005, 21:37

Gemini wrote:
ecm wrote:As long as you can outrun the rubber bullets and teargas, you'll be fine.
I sincerely hope not, myself and friends are planning to attend.

That's precisely why they have invested in rubber bullets and tear gas.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 10 May 2005, 21:39

Tesco have been asking: "Why stop at rubber?"

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 10 May 2005, 21:43

That's precisely why they have invested in rubber bullets and tear gas.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tesco have been asking: "Why stop at rubber?"

Why indeed? heheheh

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 10 May 2005, 23:20

Appears that TESCO

- can't be stopped -

http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/profil ... tesco1.htm

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 11 May 2005, 09:58

With regard to Tesco (I should of course mention other supermarkets rather than assuming it's Tesco who want to take over Porty), we're by no means alone...

http://www.oldhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/ ... 12793.html

I thought about taking the kids to the G8 protest but I decided in the end it would be a bad plan. And i've steadfastly held out against the commercial fashion bands, although eldest came home from school with someone else's, donated to him, as other kids think I'm cruel and heartless, and F is deeply deprived

. I offered him an HIV ribbon instead but he wasn't impressed

. I've got many years to work on him yet, though.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 11 May 2005, 15:40

quote Bellybabe>With regard to Tesco (I should of course mention other supermarkets rather than assuming it's Tesco who want to take over Porty), we're by no means alone... end<<

Tesco was mentioned at the PLI as one of three superstores interested in the former SP site, Morrisons plus another retailer - which slips my memory at the moment, were also in the frame.

It's sad that many people will be keeping away from the Make Poverty History demo and the G8 demo's due to the bad publicity being churned out by the media and police.

CatzVP · Post by **CatzVP** » 11 May 2005, 17:14

Gemini wrote: It's sad that many people will be keeping away from the Make Poverty History demo and the G8 demo's due to the bad publicity being churned out by the media and police.

Its not always the media and the press, as much as I'm not keen on news reporters!! its partly a small group of protesters always ruin it for the rest, I wouldn't take anyone I loved, or go myself because of them or the police problem

Quote from media, but also true and not hyped...
"Over 300 people were arrested during the summit, which saw one 23-year-old protester shot dead and over 200 injured. Most of the detained were later released.

On Tuesday, 26 anti-globalization protesters went on trial in a heavily guarded courthouse on charges of vandalism, robbery and illegal possession of explosives. If convicted, they face from eight to 15 years in prison. "

Sounds like a fun place for Kids

Until protest groups vet out the nuts, this will always happen im afraid!

Also memories are something that will take a few years to go away, a few peaceful G8's and people might supporting the protesters more.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 11 May 2005, 23:17

Its not always the media and the press, as much as I'm not keen on news reporters!! its partly a small group of protesters always ruin it for the rest, I wouldn't take anyone I loved, or go myself because of them or the police problem (quote catzvp<<)

Advice taken - thanks for this.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 12 May 2005, 11:24

Gemini wrote:Its not always the media and the press, as much as I'm not keen on news reporters!! its partly a small group of protesters always ruin it for the rest, I wouldn't take anyone I loved, or go myself because of them or the police problem (quote catzvp<<)

Advice taken - thanks for this.

Darling, why dont you pop into the office and I will teach you how to f***** quote properly? How come you can do "Links" with abandon but you cannot post a quote? Its pimps.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 12 May 2005, 13:08

Thanks for the offer of help porty - but has it ever crossed your mind darling,that i just might be doing this to annoy you?

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 17 May 2005, 10:26

http://www.lbp.police.uk/g8/events/index.asp

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 17 May 2005, 11:37

Gemini wrote:Thanks for the offer of help porty - but has it ever crossed your mind darling,that i just might be doing this to annoy you?

If so? Its working

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 17 May 2005, 14:00

There will be a group of people intent on causing trouble during the G8 protests. They are known all over the world and usually dress in black.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 17 May 2005, 17:54

Porty wrote:
Gemini wrote:Thanks for the offer of help porty - but has it ever crossed your mind darling,that i just might be doing this to annoy you?

If so? Its working

DG · Post by DG » 31 May 2005, 15:35

Gemini wrote

Orphaned by AIDS, Children from Africa appearing at St. Phillip's Joppa

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinb ... =504612005

Does anyone know more details about this? I believe it's on Saturday but don't know the time. I'm sure it's worth as much support as we can muster up.

DG

Novastar · Post by **Novastar** » 31 May 2005, 17:20

Dadaist wrote:There will be a group of people intent on causing trouble during the G8 protests. They are known all over the world and usually dress in black.

Wearing black!! Hope I won't get mistaken for a troublemaker

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 31 May 2005, 19:43

Ethical wristbands made with forced labour :

"Wristbands sold to raise money for a campaign against world poverty are made in Chinese sweatshops in "slave labour" conditions, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.
A Make Poverty History wristband
Worthy cause: hundreds of thousands of the Ã‚Â£1 wristbands have been sold in Britain

The "shocking" conditions are disclosed in confidential "ethical audits" of factories that make the ultra-fashionable white wristbands for the Make Poverty History campaign, started by a coalition of more than 400 charities.

Bob Geldof, who last week confirmed a follow-up to the 1985 Live Aid concert - to coincide with the G8 summit in July - called for action when this newspaper broke the news to him.

"The charities should pull out of deals with those companies immediately or set a firm deadline for improvements and pull out if the improvements are not met," he said. One senior official with a British charity last night described the labour abuses as "deeply shocking".

He accused Oxfam, Christian Aid, Cafod and others of "rank hypocrisy" for buying from sweatshops while campaigning for "fair and ethical trade".

He said: "This is appalling. It goes against everything we stand for. If we are criticising big companies for trading unethically then we have to be whiter than white."

Hundreds of thousands of wristbands, made in fabric or silicon, have been sold in Britain, with pop stars, footballers and politicians, including Tony Blair, seen wearing them. They cost Ã‚Â£1, of which 70p goes to the charities.

The audit reports obtained by The Sunday Telegraph show, however, that Chinese factories making the silicon versions fall woefully short of the "ethical standards".

A report on the Tat Shing Rubber Manufacturing Company in Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, dated April 12, 2005, accuses it of using "forced labour" by taking "financial deposits" from new employees in violation of Chinese law and the Ethical Trading Initiative set up to promote international standards for working conditions.

The audit uncovered a list of "weaknesses" including poor health and safety provision, long hours, a seven-day week, workers cheated out of pay, inadequate insurance, no annual leave and no right to freedom of association.

An audit at the Fuzhou Xing Chun Trade Company in Fujian province found workers paid at below the local minimum hourly wage of 2.39 yuan (just under 16p) and some as little as 1.39 yuan (9p).

Overtime was worked beyond the legal limit and not paid for properly, there was no paid annual leave, and no guarantee of a day off each week. Workers had pay deducted for disciplinary reasons, in breach of Chinese law.

The audits have sparked a row between some charities involved. Christian Aid, which has bought more than 500,000 wristbands from Tat Shing, claims that Oxfam failed to tell other charities that it had decided to stop ordering from the Shenzhen company.

A spokesman said: "Oxfam placed an order and told us the Chinese company was ethically OK. We accepted that and ordered wristbands in good faith.

"If Oxfam had concerns about ethical standards they did not pass them on for a considerable time."

This is from the Torygraph - you need a login to read it. But if you go to the Telegraph site and search for "Ethical Wristbands" you'll find it.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 31 May 2005, 20:38

Luckily for me I had my in-laws visiting this weekend so I've got my very own print copy of the said newspaper

It seems to be the supply source of the white silicon ones that are the cause of The Torygraph's "concern". The one my son bought in 'Oxfam' was fabric (and is now dark grey in colour ) so hopefully those bands are OK..*crosses fingers*

DG · Post by DG » 13 Jun 2005, 08:34

Gemini wrote

Quote:
Orphaned by AIDS, Children from Africa appearing at St. Phillip's Joppa

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinb ... =504612005

Does anyone know more details about this? I believe it's on Saturday but don't know the time. I'm sure it's worth as much support as we can muster up.

DG

Managed to go along to this on Wednesday night at Wardie Church. It was excellent - the kids had beautiful voices and amazing rythmn. Did anyone else make it along?

DG

Gedge · Post by **Gedge** » 04 Jul 2005, 14:41

Marya wrote:I've been swithering about taking my son on the Edinburgh march planned during the G8 summit. but I'm concerned that there may be some trouble. What do other folk think? Any crystal ball readers out there?

Thought it would be interesting to highlight this thread again post G8 march. What a load of nonsense was written by the Evening News and the Scotsman. And how many more people would have been there if they hadn't been scared. I hope you and your son decided to go Marya. If you didn't you missed one of the most awesome memorable days I have experienced in Edinburgh.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 11 Jul 2005, 12:47

Gedge wrote: I hope you and your son decided to go Marya. If you didn't you missed one of the most awesome memorable days I have experienced in Edinburgh.

I did miss it I'm afraid Gedge. We've been away on holiday the last week and just got back this morning. I've spent the last hour and a half catching up on the posts I missed. Some great photos and descriptions on here so thanks for those guys. I did see the BBC coverage on the Sat before we flew out on holiday from Manchester and was disappointed that they focussed almost entirely on the concert held in London with only a fleeting mention of Edinburgh and the attempt to create a human version of the white bracelet.

Watching the Greek TV coverage of the London bombings was confusing and frustrating as it was difficult to get a clear picture of events. Greek stations were interviewing Brits on holiday. The overwhelming reaction presented to the Greek viewers, courtesy of this vox pox, was that Tony Blair and the war in Iraq was to blame.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 20 Jul 2005, 12:14

More misery for these poor people

http://www.guardian.co.uk/famine/story/ ... 54,00.html

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 17 Nov 2005, 12:28

E-mail Jack Straw..

http://www.makepovertyhistory.org/mph/c ... o?code=ejs

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 17 Nov 2005, 12:43

I meant to ask, How did the March go on Saturday? Was it a good turnout?

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 17 Nov 2005, 15:41

Porty wrote:I meant to ask, How did the March go on Saturday? Was it a good turnout?

I was not on the March, but believe (from someone who was - factual)
that there was quite a good turn out.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 17 Nov 2005, 16:53

Good.

Never saw anything in the media about it but that could be because I was out on the lash all weekend.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 17 Nov 2005, 17:28

Porty wrote:Good.

Never saw anything in the media about it but that could be because I was out on the lash all weekend.

You should have been on the Leash