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Thousands attend poverty protest | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Thousands of protesters have lined the banks of the Thames in a major demonstration against global poverty. | |
At 1430 GMT campaigners on the riverbank near the Houses of Parliament began "three minutes of noise" using whistles, alarms and other devices. | |
Many protesters wore white, a reference to the 2005 Make Poverty History "White Band" campaign. | |
The event was held to remind leaders of pledges on poverty ahead of the G8 summit in Germany next week. | |
Blair legacy | |
Rock stars Midge Ure and Annie Lennox have lent their support to the protest, called the World Can't Wait and organised by a coalition of 90 organisations. | |
The demonstration was co-ordinated from a barge on the river with banners reading "We Can't Wait" and "Your Voices Against Poverty" and carrying a choir and African drummers. | |
Campaigners say leaders have not delivered on promises to tackle poverty made at the G8 meeting of world economic powers at Gleaneagles in 2005. | Campaigners say leaders have not delivered on promises to tackle poverty made at the G8 meeting of world economic powers at Gleaneagles in 2005. |
Kumi Naidoo, from the Global Call to Action Against Poverty said: "There's lots of talk about Tony Blair's legacy, and this summit offers a golden opportunity for him to really leave a mark. | |
I expected to see extreme poverty but I didn't expect to see emaciated babies Midge Ure Huge G8 protest in Germany | I expected to see extreme poverty but I didn't expect to see emaciated babies Midge Ure Huge G8 protest in Germany |
"In 2005 the British public gave the government a huge mandate to fight poverty. People across Africa are still waiting for the G8 to deliver." | |
Midge Ure told the BBC News website: "It's a gentle reminder that we are here again two years down the line with commitments that have not been fulfilled." | |
He added: "I went to Sierra Leone last year. It's one of the poorest countries to be born in. One in four children don't make it to the age of five. | He added: "I went to Sierra Leone last year. It's one of the poorest countries to be born in. One in four children don't make it to the age of five. |
"There's no free health care. I expected to see extreme poverty but I didn't expect to see emaciated babies. It's obscene." | "There's no free health care. I expected to see extreme poverty but I didn't expect to see emaciated babies. It's obscene." |
Aid pledge | |
He said he was hopeful that the future prime minister, Gordon Brown, would push forward steps to tackle world poverty. | |
He took part in a debate at the event, while Annie Lennox was to address the crowds from a boat on the Thames. | |
Among the other events on Saturday was a "blow the whistle" service organised by church groups at Methodist Central Hall. | |
The service was part of a campaign by Christian organisations to see how far countries have progressed towards the goal set in 2000, of halving poverty by 2015. | |
In 2005, the G8 pledged $50bn more aid, debt cancellation for up to 42 countries and access to affordable treatment for people with HIV/Aids by 2010. | In 2005, the G8 pledged $50bn more aid, debt cancellation for up to 42 countries and access to affordable treatment for people with HIV/Aids by 2010. |
Bob Geldof organised a number of Live 8 concerts across the world to try to get the G8 to take action on poverty. | Bob Geldof organised a number of Live 8 concerts across the world to try to get the G8 to take action on poverty. |
Campaigners say rich nations have failed to deliver increased aid and debt cancellation. | Campaigners say rich nations have failed to deliver increased aid and debt cancellation. |