Why the G20 protesters are marching
Updated on 27 March 2009
Channel 4 News online surveyed a selection of the groups protesting around the G20 to find out why they are doing it.
We asked some of the organisations supporting the Put People First protest on Saturday, the G20 meltdown march on Wednesday and the Climate Camp to tell us why they are protesting and what it would take for them to consider their protest a success.
We also asked them to limit their answers to the length of a Twitter post - just 140 characters (including spaces) per answer. Some managed the challenge better than others.
Are you protesting?
If you or your organisation is joining one of the G20 protests, tell us in 140 characters why you are protesting and how you would measure success.
Email news@channel4.com or join the debate at twitter.com/channel4news.
ActionAid
The G20 Summit is a key chance for the richest nations to put people first and tackle the effects of the financial crisis on the poor.
We hope thousands of people will march to show the strength of feeling and push G20 leaders into being brave enough to take the right steps.
www.actionaid.org.uk
CAFOD
Present economic systems favour the interests of rich over poor and the environment. This is not socially or environmentally sustainable.
For the G20 to listen to the voices of poor people, seize the opportunity to reconfigure failed economic policies and put people first.
www.cafod.org.uk
Climate Camp
Urgent action is needed to address climate change. By pursuing infinite economic growth, governments of G20 countries have created the financial and climate crises.
If our camp helps to stop useless systems of carbon trading. Humanity only has one chance to get this right - we can't bail out the climate when carbon markets turn sub-prime.
climatecamp.org.uk
Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth is demanding the G20 tackle climate change by fundamentally changing the global economy, setting the foundations for a greener future.
www.foe.co.uk
GMB
GMB want jobs, public services, no global poverty & inequality & a green economy to slow climate change. If the G20 listens we'll be happy.
www.gmb.org.uk
Global Call to Action Against Poverty
Kumi Naidoo, co-chair
We are marching so the G20 keep the needs of the world's poorest people, women in particular, at the centre of their discussions.
If development aid is not cut, reforms are sustainable and help us meet the Millennium Goals, our efforts will have yielded some rewards.
www.whiteband.org
Jubilee Debt Campaign
This is the first time in a generation that ordinary people have the chance to make the global economy more just and more democratic.
No great change will come from a single demonstration. This must be just the beginning of ordinary people mobilising for change.
www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk
Muslim Council of Britain
Justice, equity. G20 is attempt 2 create more stakeholders in global econ architecture. Efforts needed 2 ensure not mere window dressing.
Representation of hither2 disenfranchised participants; monitoring governance & shareholding of IMF, World Bank; equitable burden sharing.
www.mcb.org.uk
Oxfam
Poor people are being hit hardest by the crisis. Tens of millions can be helped to avoid poverty for a fraction of the cost of bank bailouts.
Thousands of ordinary people demonstrating peacefully for action against poverty at home and abroad pressure world leaders to act.
www.oxfam.org.uk
Progressio
G20 must put poor people in places like Malawi first: they need support to ride out the crisis, and long-term commitment on climate change.
www.progressio.org.uk
Stop Climate Chaos Coalition
Ashok Sinha
World leaders must seize the opportunity to tackle climate change and the economic downturn together.
A large slice of the hundreds of billions of dollars on the table for a fiscal stimulus are used to invest away from fossil fuels in favour of low carbon economies.
www.stopclimatechaos.org
Stop the War Coalition
Lindsey German, convenor
Our message to Barack Obama and the G20 leaders is yes we can: end the siege of Gaza, get the troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan, create jobs not bombs.
Success will be that the world's leaders cannot escape mass opposition to their wars.
stopwar.org.uk
Tearfund
Churches are marching for justice and a green economy and Tearfund can mobilise them. That's why we are in the thick of this campaign.
We will measure success by the numbers that turn out, the churches that engage and their commitment to champion these issues.
www.tearfund.org
TUC
Brendan Barber, general secretary
I'm angry at the recession, but PPF, with a huge range of support, is a voice of hope. We can create jobs and make a fairer greener world.
It's not just numbers today but the difference we make at the G20 next week but also beyond in this big year for jobs, justice and climate.
www.tuc.org.uk
UNISON
To show world leaders we are united in our demands, we need a fiscal stimulus to create jobs, beat the recession and build hope for the future.
A rescue package 4 working people, investment in jobs and public services and the embers of a fairer, greener society for future generations
www.unison.org.uk
UNITE
Derek Simpson, joint general secretary
Public services matter, investment in UK manufacturing is essential as is support for vital industries at this time of economic uncertainty.
There can be no going back to business as usual, the world has changed.
www.unitetheunion.org.uk
War on Want
Ruth Tanner, campaigns and policy director
We're demanding a radically transformed economic system. Success will be large numbers that mark the start of a new global justice movement.
www.waronwant.org
World Development Movement
We're pushing the G20 to put people and the planet before profit because the economic and climate crises will hit the world's poor hard.
The G20 will be a success if it says yes to a green new deal that creates jobs and fights climate change and global poverty.
www.wdm.org.uk
World Vision
Patrick Watt, head of public affairs and campaigns
World Vision, along with other members of the Put People First coalition want to ensure the world's poorest don't slip off the G20 agenda.
G20 leaders will make international development a priority and the march will inspire thousands of people to hit the streets on Saturday.
www.worldvision.org.uk
