G20 urged to avert global disaster

02 September 2009

PICTURE/AUDIO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY

NEWS HOOK
London, Friday-Saturday 4-5 September 2009

Finance ministers from G20 group of the world's most powerful economies meet in London

"Stop letting money rule the world" call by campaigners in G20 leaders' masks and suits, backed by money-themed music

Activists warn of job losses and climate chaos

WHERE?
North junction between Leadenhall Street and St Mary Axe, London EC3 3DQ‎ (view of City landmark the Gherkin skyscraper)

WHAT?
Campaigners from the Put People First coalition, in G20 leaders' masks and suits, hold cash-laden throne, warning "Stop letting money rule the world". The activists, backed by money-themed music, will then go on a walking tour of City institutions which the coalition blames for the crisis along with the G20 leaders.

Protestors wearing G20 leaders' masks and suits next week (Friday, 4 September) will call for new policies to protect the livelihoods of millions of people amid the growing world economic crisis. (see attached briefing)

Campaigners from the coalition Put People First, representing over 10 million people, will hold aloft a throne laden with huge bags of cash and unfurl a banner calling on the G20 to "Stop letting money rule the world", backed by money-themed music.

The protest will come as British chancellor Alistair Darling and other finance ministers begin two-day London talks in the run-up to the G20 leaders' summit on the crisis in Pittsburgh on 24-25 September.

The coalition says that by sticking to the free market practices which caused the global slump, the G20 would condemn millions more people to unemployment and condemn the planet to devastating climate change.

The International Labour Organisation estimates 239 million people worldwide will be jobless this year - up a third compared to the 2007 level - with youth unemployment rising by up to 18 million to 90 million.

But the coalition says such job losses can be avoided by new economic policies designed to put people before corporate profits.

Put People First calls for a crackdown on tax havens. Britain loses an estimated £100 billion a year in tax dodges - enough to double funds for the health service. And unpaid tax costs the developing world £250 billion a year.

The coalition is also demanding greater investment in public services, new jobs through a green global economy and steep emission cuts for developed nations at the UN summit in Copenhagen later this year.

John Hilary, executive director at the anti-poverty charity War on Want, said: "The G20 has done nothing to address the root causes of the global economic crisis. Despite the fact that lax regulation of banks led to the financial meltdown, G20 leaders are now calling for more deregulation of financial markets through the Doha round of world trade talks. It is time to call an end to the free market fundamentalism which has caused so much poverty and suffering in the world."

Jubilee Debt Campaign director Nick Dearden said: "The financial system has delivered economic and environmental chaos. No wonder that people and governments around the world are demanding change. But change that works for all countries and people will only come when all countries and people are involved in setting the rules. We need a radical democratisation of the economic and financial system - a global economy of the people, by the people, for the people."

Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said: "The recession isn't over for the millions of people here and around the world who are without jobs or worried about losing them. There is more to be done by the world's leaders and finance ministers if we are to build a sustainable recovery with decent work for all. Getting back to business as usual isn't good enough because it just means another recession round the corner."

Asad Rehman, senior climate change campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: "Developed nations are responsible for most of the carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere since the industrial revolution - and have grown very rich in doing so. Developing nations are far smaller per capita polluters, yet many of them are at the forefront of the devastating consequences of climate change. Rich industrialised countries must stop playing Russian roulette with the future of the planet and make a clear commitment to compensate poorer nations for the full costs of adapting to climate change, and fund the transition to low carbon infrastructure in the developing world."

NOTES TO EDITORS

• After the picture/audio/interview opportunity, campaigners in masks and suits, backed by money-themed music, will tour City institutions which the coalition blames for the crisis along with the G20 leaders. Activists will meet outside Liverpool Street rail station next to McDonalds, 50 Liverpool Street London London EC2M 7PD. Tour stops include: Royal Bank of Scotland, 250 Bishopsgate, EC2M4 AA. ETF Securities, 2 London Wall Buildings London, London EC2M 5UU. European Climate Exchange, 62 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AW. International Financial Services London, 29-30 Cornhill, London EC3V 3NF. Barclays Bank, 54 Lombard Street, London EC3P 3AH. Willis Building, 51 Lime Street, London EC3M 7DQ.

• Put People First includes over 100 development charities, trade unions, environmental, faith and anti-poverty groups.

CONTACTS

Paul Collins, War on Want media officer (+44) (0)20 7549 0584 or (+44) (0)7983 550728Nick Dearden, Jubilee Debt Campaign director (+44) (0)20 7324 4722 (+44) (0)7932 335464
Liz Chinchen, head of TUC European Union and international relations (+44) (0)20 7467 1325 or (+44) (0)7788 715261
Neil Verlander, Friends of the Earth press officer (+44) (0)20 7566 1649 or (+44) (0)7712 843209
Kate Blagojevic, World Development Movement press officer (+44) (0)20 7820 4913 or (+44) (0)7711 875345
Jesse Griffiths, Bretton Woods Project coordinator (+44) (0)20 7561 7546 or (+44) (0)7968 041747

Tags: campaigns | financial crisis