Youngsters join vigil (From Gazette Series)

Youngsters join vigil

YOUNG people from Wotton-under-Edge joined an all-night vigil in London last Friday.

Organised by the Trade Justice Movement, the vigil was expected to attract about 5,000 but some 25,000 actually took part.

Kayt Pasco, 16, said: "It was brilliant to join so many people in making a stand against free trade and poverty. I think it's really important that more people are made aware of the issues involved with Trade Justice."

Gill Pasco, a teacher from Wotton, said: "With the current 'free' trade system, poor countries are not allowed to protect their farmers. In Ghana, for instance, farmers who can no longer compete in the face of cheap imports are forced to find work like breaking rocks in 45 degrees heat for just 95p a day."

She added: "It was very moving to see and hear so many young people showing they care about the world's poorest countries."

Kathy Brent, a doctor from Wotton who is co-ordinating the town's bid to become a Fairtrade town, said: "A start is to buy Fairtrade goods which benefit poor farmers and producers directly."

Her teenage children, Alex and Sarah, were also at the vigil, along with Anna Pasco and Elspeth Kenny, both 14.

The Trade Justice Movement is a fast-growing coalition of organisations campaigning for fundamental change to the unjust rules and institutions governing international trade - aiming to make trade work for all.

Its Global Week of Action, coinciding with the British General Election campaign, culminated in last week's all-night vigil.

Stars from stage, screen and the music world were among the thousands of people at the peaceful rally - including singers Ronan Keating, and Thom Yorke from Radiohead.

On Saturday there was a dawn procession when delegates met representatives from the main political parties.

Around the world, the Global Week of Action for Trade Justice saw hundreds of events in more than 70 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.tjm.org.uk