200,000 fall silent in Edinburgh
As the clocks struck 3pm 200,000 people fell silent across Edinburgh sending a powerful message to the G8 leaders that they must Make Poverty History when they meet in Edinburgh. The Meadows in the city erupted in huge noise before complete silence fell all round.
ActionAid campaigners comment from today's massive anti-poverty events in Edinburgh and London
Richard Miller, director of ActionAid UK, was with the ActionAid contingent marching through Edinburgh. He said: "Last year we decided this would be a big year when we could make a difference in the fight against poverty. It is just fantastic that the day has arrived. It is exhilarating, exciting, uplifting and inspiring - so many people standing in solidarity with the world's poor, not asking but demanding."
At the rally in the Meadows, Edinburgh, ActionAid head of policy Steve Tibbett said: "Perhaps 200,000 people are here to demand justice for the world's poor people. The strong feeling coming across is that people are not just here to have fun. They are actually angry and they want something done. They won't accept any more spin from the G8 leaders."
At the Live8 concert in Hyde Park, ActionAid HIV & Aids campaigner Simon Wright said: "There's a tremendous number of people here and clearly a lot of excitement about the concert. But this is a political event. This has got to be seen as a massive message to the G8 and not just another pop concert."
Eddie Izzard shows his support for Make Poverty History.
"Why am I involved in Make Poverty History? Anyone asked to get involved should want to - just out of common humanity. The six billion people in the world should all have an equal chance - we want to create a level playing field for rich and poor countries alike. I'm not sure the celebrities will help to change world leaders' minds, but they raise awareness. It's the people, the activists - all these people here at the rally today who make a difference. Will we make poverty history? It may not happen this week, but we can make a start on the road to overcoming poverty. The G8 could cancel the debt and grant more aid straight away. Trade justice may take a little longer. I would say to the G8: 'Leave a legacy - make poverty history!"
For more stories on speakers at the rally click here
JONATHAN DIMBLEBY adds his voice to the call to Make Poverty History
I am here because I share your urge to challenge the G8 to live up to the warm words we have heard for far too long about the need to make poverty history.
I am here, because like you I know it is an obscenity that 50,000 die every day unnecessarily as a consequence of poverty.
I have seen, touched, heard and smelt the dying and the dead - often in very large numbers.
The march has started!
Thousands of Make Poverty History supporters dressed in white have set off around the centre of Edinburgh to form the world's largest human white band.
With a festival atmosphere people of all ages are carrying flags and banners and calling on the G8 leaders to act.
Led by Sengalese singer Baaba Maal the first campaigners set off just after midday. They will make their way round the city centre to form an amazing visual human white band, the symbol of the campaign.
Anger is energy
'I'm choked, angry, tears welling up. The atmosphere is overwhelming. There are thousands of kids and teens here, the next generation taking the vibe on board - wiring their heads to altruism, not greed.'
Cardinal O'Brien addresses the Make Poverty History rally
We are here today because we are scandalised by the needless suffering that poverty causes.
To be passive or indifferent in the knowledge that one child dies needlessly every three seconds is to be an accomplice in barbarity. We say to the leaders of the world's richest nations: we have no intention of being accomplices in barbarity.
There is a great realisation today among the peoples of the world that we have a moral obligation to share of our goods wealth with those who have none.
RIGHT REVEREND DAVID LACY, CHURCH OF SCOTLAND addresses Make Poverty History Rally
For all my time in the Church of Scotland, and for a long time before that, we have been calling for justice for the poor, for love of our neighbours throughout the whole world.
Now is the time because Britain chairs the G8 and assumes the presidency of the EU and we have leaders, Christians themselves, who have responded to our long and oft-repeated calls.
Let us leave behind all fashionable cynicism about our politicians and back them up with the political groundswell they need to do even more.
No more excuses. No more delays. Now is the time.
Over 120,000 in edinburgh with more still arriving
Already over 120,000 people are in Edinburgh as part of the Make Poverty History rally with thousands more still flocking to the Meadows. People are taking part in the human white band around the city, learning more about Trade Justice, Drop the Debt and More and Better Aid in the Campaign zone, and taking part in activities in the Gener8ion zone, Children's zone and Contempl8ion zone.
Pope sends plea to G8 leaders Jul 2 2005
The Pope has called on people in the world's richest countries to demand action to reduce world poverty in a message read out to the Make Poverty History rally in Edinburgh.
The message, read out by Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of Scotland's Roman Catholics, voiced the pontiff's hope that the 'scourge' of global poverty may one day be consigned to history.
'People from the world's richest countries should be prepared to accept the burden of debt reduction for heavily indebted poor countries, and should urge their leaders to fulfil the pledges made to reduce world poverty, especially in Africa, by the year 2015,' said the Pope Benedict XVI.
Harry Hill voices his support for Make Poverty History
'Sorry I can't be with you in Edinburgh today. I visited Fairtrade banana and cocoa farmers in Ghana two years ago and saw for myself the benefits of growers receiving a fair price - Fairtrade is so important. I say to ALL people - we are leaders - let's lead the way by buying fairtrade products whenever we can. To the G8 - support fair trade in your countries - use your aid money to help fair trade to flourish for producers around the world - but above all else put justice for the world's poor at the heart of trade rules - allow countries the space to protect their people and the environment. Make poverty history.'