leyton.org

The Make Poverty History march on Saturday was a great success. Estimates of 225,000 people made it the largest protest in Scotland’s history, and it was great fun to participate in. I had my camera with me, and took lots of pictures. They’re all available in my Make Poverty History set at flickr, and interspersed with my account of the day which follows here.

Read the rest of this entry »

Wow!! What a day. We’re tired from a long day on our feet walking in Edinburgh, but we’re feeling very good for having made a stand with hundreds of thousands of others to have made a call to the G8 leaders to Make Poverty History, and redress the serious imbalances going on in the world. So many people uniting for a single cause is outstanding, and it was a really superb day. And for every single person there, there were many many others who wanted to be there, or were with us in thought.

![23074027][Small][alignright]

I’ve a lot of photos from the day which I’m looking forward to sharing hopefully tomorrow I’ve uploaded a sample of to flickr (More to follow!) Right now though, we’re collapsing on the sofa, watching Live8, and rubbing after-sun lotion in (yes, it can be sunny in Scotland!).

Update: My account of the day, including lots of pictures, is available here

![23074030][Small][alignright]

I’ve previously mentioned our intention to attend the Edinburgh march. Frances picked up our rail tickets earlier, and is currently putting together a nice batch of sandwiches ready for an early start tomorrow. So, here’s our checklist of things to take over to the Edinburgh Make Poverty History March:

• White tops
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Sandwiches and assorted munchies!
• Good shoes
• Camera, plus a decent memory card for all the pictures I intend to take!
• A positive attitude
• A determination to make a difference!
• A full breakdown of what to expect is available here

Thanks for the messages from friends and relatives so far, we’re happy to represent you. Maybe you’ll be able to spot us on the TV!? We of course hope to see plenty of others over there, and for a peaceful and very positive event! Watch this space for pictures and a report over the weekend.

Update: My account of the day is available here Tags: Live8 Make Poverty History

Channel 4 News kicked off it’s News from Africa season – ahead of the G8 summit next week – with a shocking article from Jonathan Miller and Elizabeth Jones on the Congo Tin Mines. A horrific report (A textual version is available here), showing the deplorable conditions in which cassiterite (a tin ore) is mined at Bisiye. They were the first westerners in years to reach the mines, and painted a harrowing picture of exploitation, and the horrors of civil war.

The Army watches on (hiding their uniforms when the journalists appeared on the scene) as people mine this precious metal, used in the electronics industry as a replacement of lead. As miners struggle to bring the ore to the surface, the Army steals the premium minerals recovered. Taking what’s left, many others labouriously carry the tin – up to 50kg at a time – over miles of thick forest, to the local airport. A journey that took the unencumbered journalists two days. At best, these labourers may make a little money, at worst they are murdered by soldiers who are exploiting their efforts. The money taken out by the armies funds weapon purchases that further the civil war.

The report attempted to interview a western businessman involved. Despite an interview (off camera), it seems friends in high places resulted in the local security forces appearing, and arresting the journalists, later to be released without charge. Clearly friends in high places were brought to bear. The fact that the trade in cassiterite is a massively profitable feature on the commodities markets in London clearly ensures money is no object.

The result of this trade feeds the global electronics industry. No doubt as I type this, and you read this, we are both using machines that were created using ore mined in such a way. The pictures from the article illustrate the deplorable horror of this particular industry.

Channel 4 have – as usual – done an excellent journalist job in highlighting a truly atrocious trade. Hopefully the Make Poverty History agenda can help pressurise the G8 to work to address the issues that lead to such abuses, and human exploitation.

See also

• Text version of the report.
• Globalwitness.org

Tags: Live8 Make Poverty History

After a bit of discussion, Frances and I agreed we’d go and take part in the Make Poverty History march in Edinburgh, this coming Saturday. Coming from Glasgow, we’ve probably got a much easier journey than most.

If you’re likely to be there, and know me, do give me a call or drop me a note! It’d be great to meet up with some friends there. If you’re in two minds about it, but need somewhere to stay, we can probably put you up, but will need to know soon!

Needless to say, I’ll be taking my camera with me and hoping to capture some pictures from the day. Watch this space over the weekend! Update Pictures here, and my March write-up here

Tags: Live8 Make Poverty History

Ooooh! Free internet action courtesy of the Guardian. Not sure I fancy trying to find my way to Waverley steps though with the crowds expected!

I’ve mentioned it before and I’ll mention it again, check out www.makepovertyhistory.org. It’s aiming to recruit ordinary people to add further weight to their campaign, and get the loudest voice they can ahead of the G8 summit on the 8th July.

Visit the website and click ‘Join Us’. It takes no time at all, and it really could make a big difference.