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Thousands set for poverty protest Thousands attend poverty protest
(about 2 hours later)
Rock stars Midge Ure and Annie Lennox have given their support to a major demonstration against global poverty. Thousands of protesters have lined the banks of the Thames in a major demonstration against global poverty.
Organisers of the World Can't Wait event expect 10,000 people to line the River Thames near Parliament ahead of the G8 summit in Germany next week. 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.
Ure described the poverty situation across the world as "obscene". 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.
Emaciated babies
The protest has been organised by a coalition of 90 organisations aimed at reminding the G8 nations of what was agreed at Gleneagles.
I expected to see extreme poverty but I didn't expect to see emaciated babies Midge Ure Huge G8 protest in GermanyI expected to see extreme poverty but I didn't expect to see emaciated babies Midge Ure Huge G8 protest in Germany
Ure told 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." "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."
He said he was hopeful that future prime minister Gordon Brown would push forward steps to tackle world poverty. Aid pledge
Live 8 He said he was hopeful that the future prime minister, Gordon Brown, would push forward steps to tackle world poverty.
Ure will take part in a debate at the event, and Lennox will address the crowds from a boat on the Thames. 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.