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Trade Justice Lobby in Manchester

	Summer 2003

	Over 300 people gathered in the centre of Manchester on Saturday morning to add their weight to the call for trade justice - with rapping, music and balloons. Members of the Faith and Justice Commission were joined by supporters of Cafod, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Tear Fund and others. Philip Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, heard the message before he had even arrived at the event when children from St Edward's School in Lees, Oldham lobbied him on the train into Manchester. Arriving in the city centre the young campaigners performed a Trade Justice rap in St. Anne's Square; each dressed up to represent countries that are losing out from unfair trade rules.

	Lobbying Corner One corner of the city square became 'the lobbying corner'. MP's Tony Lloyd and Phil Woolas heard the call for trade justice from constituents. A billboard announced that a fantastic total of 24 of 25 MPs in the local area had been lobbied. Campaigners heard how trade rules impact on Kenya from Mutuwa Waema, who is studying economics at Manchester University. The host of the event was local radio presenter Mike Shaft from Greater Manchester Radio and there was live music from a Zimbabwean band.

	Duncan Green from CAFOD explained how unfair rules are hurting the poor around the world and that our campaigning really makes a difference. Duncan encouraged us all to 'keep at the campaign' as it will help millions to escape poverty. The Bishop of Middleton also lent his voice to the campaign telling us that the campaign to end injustice had strong biblical roots. At 12 noon there was a minutes silence followed by the pealing bells of St. Anne's Church and hundreds of Trade Justice balloons were released. Barbara Mallinson a CAFOD supporter and member of Oldham Deanery 'Covenant with the Poor Group came along carrying gold scales and said "I want to add weight to the cause. It's make me so mad because it's so unfair." Duncan Green, CAFOD said: "This is making a huge impact so keep going. This will be the biggest ever mass lobby on anything not just trade."

photo: Four female vocalists on outdoor stage add an ethnic atmosphere to the Campaign.

The Unfair Trade Rap

P. It's not fair. It's not fair.
Trade rules ain't gettin us anywhere

P. The way things are, are keepin' us poor.
We get less while you rich get more.

R. We'd like to help, to make it fair.
But money is our master an' he don't care.

P. World Trade Organisation, that's where it's at.
But it's rules are immoral, they're for the fat cats.

P. Huge delegations from the rich,
Rich West Are making up rules that suit them best.

P. We'd like to help, to make it fair,
but money is our master an' he don't care.

P. You force our markets open and dump your cheap excess.
You ruin our economy, our livelihoods a mess.

P. You put tariffs on our products so it's hard to trade with you.
We're not allowed to do the same, does that sound fair to you?

R. We'd like to help, to make it fair,
But money is our master an' he don't care.

P. One rule for you, another for us.
If it were the other way you'd sure make a fuss!

P. Multi-national Corporations wreck our water, air and trees.
The environment is screaming, it's falling on it's knees.

R. We'd like to help, to make it fair.
But money is our master an' he don't care.

P. You want all your favourites; coffee, chocolate and tea.
We slave all day for a miserable fee.

P. Trade rules are killin' us, can't you see?
We just won't survive without equality.

R. We'd like to help, to make it fair.
But money is our master an' he don't care.