Stars to come out for justice in world trade

Stars from stage, screen and the music world will be amongthousands of people rallying in Westminster on Friday 15 April tocall for Trade Justice not free trade.

Singer Ronan Keating said, "It will be an important event withmillions of people all over the world calling for Trade Justice. Acandlelit vigil outside Downing Street will be the biggest thiscountry has ever seen. So come and be part of making history thatnight."

The all night vigil is organised by the Trade Justice Movement,whose members include MAYC World Action and the Methodist Reliefand Development Fund, as part of a Global Week of Action for TradeJustice.ÊÊ It starts at Westminster Abbey with an event includingsongs and readings presented by Vanessa Redgrave, PetePostlethwaite, Simon Mayo and others.

At midnight, thousands of people will gather outside DowningStreet, with spectacular lanterns and candles, to call on the UKGovernment to stop pushing poor countries to open up theireconomies, and respect their right to decide on trade policieswhich will help them end poverty and protect their environment. Thevigil will continue all night, culminating in a dawn procession anddelegations meeting representatives from the main politicalparties.

Lizzie Jeans, World Action Secretary said: "The Global Week ofAction for Trade Justice will see hundreds of events in over 70countries.Ê The night vigil on 15 April is an unmissableopportunity for people in the UK to add their voices to a trulyglobal campaign.Ê It's going to be an amazing night, so show thatyou care about those living in poverty across the world by joiningus if you can. Together we can wake up UK politicians to the factthat the British public have had enough of global trade thatbenefits rich countries and hurts poor ones."

The programme has a huge range of indoor and outdoor activitiesrunning throughout the night:
·ÊAn ecumenical service at 2.30am in St Martin-in-the-Fields.
·ÊTrade justice cinemas at the Odeon Panton Street and MethodistCentral Hall
·ÊClub night at the Marquee Club in Leicester Square featuringNitin Sawhney, Radio 1 DJ Bobby Friction and other artists
·ÊOvernight fair trade cafŽ with breakfast served in themorning
·ÊA fleet of rickshaws to give the public free rides to all thedifferent venues and along the amazing spectacle of Whitehall litup by thousands of candles and lanterns

Sarah Hagger from the Methodist Relief and Development Fundsaid: "Methodist people have already shown their support for thetrade justice campaign by turning out in force to last year's Votefor Trade Justice launch in Brighton and through casting theirvotes for trade justice via the Methodist Recorder.Ê Many Methodistchurches will also be joining with churches across the world infollowing a special order of service focusing on trade justice onSunday 10 April.Ê Whether or not you are able to stay up all nighton the 15 April, please show your support by casting your vote fortrade justice!"