Mass lobby of parliament
What?
Mass Lobby for Trade Justice
Who?
Called by the Trade Justice Movement and MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY
When?
Wednesday 2 November
From 12pm - 6pm in Westminster, London
What about transport?
- Visit the transport noticeboard to find out about transport from your area
- Please e-mail coaches@tjm.org.uk if you are organising a local coach
- Visit the transport organisers page if you are thinking about organising a coach
- Please use organised coaches and public transport - don't drive
Why?
Over 225,000 people gathered in Edinburgh on 2 July to demand the G8 take action on trade, debt and aid. As crucial world trade talks approach in December, join thousands of others at Parliament to demand that the UK Government supports our call to make poverty history by delivering trade justice - not free trade.
What are we calling for?
Alongside lobbies being held across Europe and around the world, we are calling for trade justice - not free trade - when the World Trade Organisation meets in December in Hong Kong.
We call on the UK Government and its partners in the European Union to:
- Stop pushing poor countries to open their economies
- Respect poor countries' right to decide on trade policies to help end poverty and protect their environment
What is a mass lobby?
A mass lobby is when a large number of people go to Parliament to raise the same concern with their MP at the same time. We need as many people as possible to convince their MP to call for trade justice. The Government will then face real pressure to change its policies and take action.
What will happen on the day?
The lobby will run from 1 pm onwards, with people forming a queue outside Parliament. The queue will be colour-coded by nation and region to enable constituents to lobby their MP together.
How will I know what to say?
You don't need to be an expert, anyone can take part! You just need to be willing to ask your MP some questions.
A full lobby pack for everything you need is available to download, as well as a tricky questions and answers guide (download here, or read online here) and MP ask sheet (download here, or read online here).
Please register or contact one of our member organisations to tell us that you are coming.
The Trade Justice Movement is a member of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY - an unprecedented coalition of over 500 UK organisations.
This mass lobby has been organised by the Trade Justice Movement working in partnership with the Co-operative Bank.
We need trade justice to make poverty history!
Resources
Mass Lobby Pack - with everything you need to know for the day.
Mass Lobby for Trade Justice Questions and Answers booklet - with details of what we are calling for and all the information you need to prepare to meet your MP).
Mass Lobby MP Ask Sheet - with details of what action your MP must take for trade justice.
What now?
If you can't come, make sure you Vote for Trade Justice, write to your MP to ask them to take the actions on the MP Ask Sheet.