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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Thousands attend poverty protest | Thousands attend poverty protest |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Thousands of protesters have lined the banks of London's 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. | 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. | The event was held to remind leaders of pledges on poverty ahead of the G8 summit in Germany next week. |
| Blair legacy | 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. | 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. |
| It was held as police battled hundreds of protesters at an anti-globalisation march in Rostock, Germany, 25km (16 miles) away from where next week's G8 summit will be held. | It was held as police battled hundreds of protesters at an anti-globalisation march in Rostock, Germany, 25km (16 miles) away from where next week's G8 summit will be held. |
| The London 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. | The London 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. |
| Organisers said upwards of 10,000 people attended the protest but police were unable to confirm this figure. | Organisers said upwards of 10,000 people attended the protest but police were unable to confirm this figure. |
| Campaigners say leaders have not delivered on promises to tackle poverty made at the G8 meeting of world economic powers at Gleneagles in 2005. | Campaigners say leaders have not delivered on promises to tackle poverty made at the G8 meeting of world economic powers at Gleneagles 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. | 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." | "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." | 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 | Aid pledge |
| He said he was hopeful that the future prime minister, Gordon Brown, would push forward steps to tackle world poverty. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Increased aid | Increased aid |
| 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. |
| A Downing Street spokeswoman said progress had been made since Gleneagles. | A Downing Street spokeswoman said progress had been made since Gleneagles. |
| Among other achievements she said global aid had increased from $79.4bn to $103.9bn this year, 22 countries had been given 100% debt relief and $1bn had been raised for new and basic vaccines. | Among other achievements she said global aid had increased from $79.4bn to $103.9bn this year, 22 countries had been given 100% debt relief and $1bn had been raised for new and basic vaccines. |