Co-ops urged to support G20 rally

March 13 2009

Put People First, a new civil society coalition formed in response to the economic crisis, is calling on co-operators and Co-operative Movement groups and organisations to support a march and rally to be held in London on Saturday March 28th, just one week ahead of the G20 meeting in the capital.

The Oxford-based New Internationalist communication co-operative is one of the prime movers behind the campaign which calls on the G20 leadersto rebuild the global economy; create a fair distribution of wealth that provides decent jobs and public services for all; end global inequality and build a low carbon future.

Richard Howlett, New Internationalist’s Outreach and Events Co-ordinator, told the News: “We see the current crisis as potentially the best opportunity in a generation to achieve major positive economic structural change.

“More than 80 groups and organisations, ranging from the TUC and several big individual unions including Unison, Unite and Usdaw plus Oxfam, Friends of the Earth, the Fairtrade Foundation, Christian Aid, Greenpeace and War on Want, are already involved.

“I have taken on the task of reaching out to co-ops in theUKtoencouragethem to either join the platform or promote the event. At a time when the current economic model is being so broadly challenged it feels particularly relevant for co-ops to support such an initiative and promote the alternative system they represent.”

Speakers at the Hyde Park rally to follow the march from Victoria Embankment (starts 11.0am) include Sharon Burrow, President of the International TUC; actor and Labour Party activist Tony Robinson and global justice author Susan George.

For further details about the march and rally on March 28th, please see the advert on page 17 of this issue, which is published free of charge by Co-operative Press Ltd.

Alternatively, visit: www.putpeoplefirst.org.uk or www.bond.org.uk.