Protesters head for London G20 march (From Bournemouth Echo)

Protesters head for London G20 march

1:00am Saturday 28th March 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(6)

CLIMATE change activists, trade unionists and charity workers from Dorset will be among thousands of protesters taking part in a London march today in the run-up to the G20 summit.

A series of events to coincide with the summit will get under way with a rally at Hyde Park which will hear calls for action to save jobs, support a low-carbon economy and stricter controls of the finance sector.

More than 150 unions, environment, faith and development groups will take part in a march for “jobs, justice and climate”.

Organisers insist that the march and other rallies, as well as stunts being planned over the next week, will be peaceful, amid fears that anarchists are intent on causing trouble.

Among those represented will be the East Dorset group of Friends of the Earth.

Co-ordinator Angela Pooley said: “Several of our members are travelling to London to take part in the march. Unfortunately I am unable to make it but I will be there in spirit.

“We are urging our members to support the protest. Those who can’t attend are being encouraged to sign petitions.”

Unions represented will include Unison, with local members travelling by coach and train from Bournemouth.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “Never before has such a wide coalition come together with such a clear message for world leaders.

“Of course the G20 will not solve everything but leaders must sign up to both boost the world economy and govern it better, and show us that they are trying to build a better world.”

Charity workers travelling to London from the South Coast will include Christian Aid stalwart Helen Davis from Poole, who will also be representing lobbying organisation the World Development Movement.

She said: “We are hoping for a peaceful, but strong, protest with the G20 building a green economy and green energy supplies. Climate change affects the poorest people first, and worst.”

An Oxfam spokesman told the Daily Echo that key activists from Dorset would be taking part in today’s protest march.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(6)