Global Justice Manchester

Actions

September Programme

by

If you want to join us in any of these actions, please email us at globaljusticemanchester@fastmail.fm

Wednesday 15th September we will be delivering public letters to Banks in Spinningfields, calling for the cancellation of debts owed by countries hit by the covid pandemic. Some of the poorest countries have been worst hit, and debts have mounted as the global economy has been on hold. These countries will need all the resources they can muster to tackle the climate crisis.

Email globaljusticemanchester@fastmail.fm if you want to campaign on debt cancellation

Saturday 18th September we will be taking part in the Day of Action: Corporate Courts vs. the Climate. In the morning, there will be brief photo opportunities outside several corporate law firms, and a stall in St. Anne’s Square. There might also be pickets at Shell petrol stations. We are demanding that the UK withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty, remove corporate courts from the current Canada deal, and abandon moves to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

At 5.30pm Global Justice Now are holding a webinar Corporate courts – communities fight back . Speakers from Bolivia, Italy, and Argentina will relate how people across the Globe are resisting the ISDS corporate court system, to defend their environment and communities.

Find out more about our campaign against corporate courts from globaljusticemanchester@fastmail.fm

Friday 24th September from 12.00-14.00, we will be supporting the youth strikers in St Peter’s Square, as they rally to save the planet.

Sunday 3rd October we will be joining the Climate Justice bloc at the Conservative Party Conference demo.

Email globaljusticemanchester@fastmail.fm to find out more, or join in

Day of Action on US Trade Deal

by

The pandemic preoccupying and dominating the public’s consciousness, many more fundamental issues are in danger of being overlooked. So Global Justice Now, along with Trade Unions, War on Want, Traidcraft and others called for a national Day of Action on Saturday 24th. October, looking for images to use in publicity and for a photo petition as well as to raise awareness in the general population.

The threatened trade deal has numerous strands, all of which threaten our institutions, our standards and our democracy. They are even more dangerous to people in the Global South. If the UK’s acceptance is rolled out as a benchmark of what is required to trade with the dominant economic powers. In Manchester, we united with allies and made several outings to protest the deal. We also invited people to send in and post photos of themselves, their dogs, homes and associates with the message “Stop the US Trade Deal”.

Thursday (22nd. Oct.) saw us in Chorlton, exploiting the wide pavement outside Oxfam on Wilbraham Road and using a simple quiz-display to stimulate engagement with questions on US standards in food hygiene (how many rat hairs are allowed in 25g of cinnamon), permitted insecticide residues allowed on apples, toxic ingredients banned in cosmetics, and the expected cost of the 50 most expensive medicines used in primary care. This proved an excellent way of engaging people. Unusually we didn’t have cards to sign but the excellent flyer GJN had produced gives a link to an e-action and we had a QR code for those who wanted to find out more with their mobile phones. Footfall was disappointing, but with a higher than usual percentage engaging.

Next day we focused on the threat to democratic authorities taking action to stop climate change and joined with War on Want, Fridays for the Future, and Greater Manchester Campaign Against Climate Change’s normal vigil outside the Central Library.

Even the statue of Emmeline Pankhurst joined the protest, reminding Boris Johnson of his commitment on climate change, “We must act now, right now … extinction is forever, so our action must be immediate,” with the suffragist slogan slogan “Deeds Not Words”.

And on Saturday itself we combined with War on Want and Keep Our NHS Public activists to stage a photo-op outside the MRI complex on Hathersage Road.

This brought honks of support from passing traffic and was streamed live by a KONP supporting media student.

Pia Feig (a GJN member and NHS activist spoke about the threat to our health service, not simply in being directly “taken over”, but of the threat of “standstill and ratchet clauses” being included in the deal, progressively biting off chunks of our service.

She also drew attention to the looting of the NHS patient records database. This is probably the most complete patient health database in the world and is an extremely valuable resource for medical research. Its sale to trans-national corporations is one of the least noticed ways in which the the Government is privatising the NHS. It is yet another example of how publicly funded research and knowledge production is expropriated by trans-national capital for profit, rather than being used for the benefit of patients. Big Pharma will look for lucrative opportunities to develop expensive medicines for minor complaints, rather than tackling public health priorities. Meanwhile, US insurance companies will want to use the data to identify and discriminate against the most vulnerable by refusing insurance to them.

Stephen Pennells picked up on the indirect threats to health, reprising the threat to nutrition through US food standards before going on to talk about employment, climate change, government secrecy and the worrying record of Biden, as Obama’s deputy supporting TTIP. This means that whoever is elected President, the campaign will have to further intensify. Both govenments, freed from the deadline of the US election will want something to spin as an economic opportunity in the aftermath of the pandemic’s effect on business, jobs and profits.

These actions reinforced alliances and spread our message. We learnt that we need to develop our media skills. Our speeches were unscripted and reasonable in terms of the “Just a Minute” criteria of speaking without “hesitation, repetition or deviation”. However a quarter of an hour is too long for modern attention spans and it would have benefitted from interactive questioning or reflective prompts.

So we are planning to work on this with a couple of our new recruits, one of whom is a new media student at Salford Uni. If you would like to be involved, don’t be shy!

Trade Campaigning with XR

by

Whatever the severity and urgency of the Pandemic it’s important to keep one’s eye on the fundamental threat: climatic disaster

As often emotive headline facts and anger lead to sub-optimal effect when the big picture is not seen; battles may be be won, but the fundamental causes and issues will bring new problems to be addressed.

Sun and Samba

So, wary of the implications which are likely to result from reckless and irresponsible trade deals a couple of us went along to the formal beginning of Extinction Rebellion’s #WeWantToLive “Northern Rebellion” in St. Peter’s Square on 1st. September.

As you would expect on a sunny day, it was well attended with a samba band that had come from the NE as well as folks old and young from the Lakes and Lancs, Bury and Burnage. The road outside the Midland Hotel and Friends Meeting House was blocked, some meditated and the police were gently in attendance while the trams ran unmolested with their squealing drowning out speakers at times.

We mingled offering materials, inviting people to sign petitions and come to our webinar, QR codes for which had been generated and printed. However as time went on I became more aware that “Town” is but a shadow of its former self; plenty of activists, but fewer tourists, shoppers and workers. Many are more cautious of others.

Wary of being trolled (as had already happened in the comments on the MEN website’s disparaging report written before the event) organisers were at pains to encourage social distancing, mask wearing and the peaceful nature of the event.

Speakers

The mysterious Red Brigade made silent appearances (seen here contemplating the fate of climate refugees), as did independent photographers; HS2 was vilified. a priest in Salford represented Christian Climate Action and a wheelchair user emphasised the desire of disabled activists to participate. A formation dance was performed (socially distanced) and a GP spoke of his experiences in Africa . He had set up a Doctors’ XR group which had coordinated posting health warning stickers on over 50 local petrol stations. Marc Hudson from Climate Emergency Manchester spoke well on the need for persistence (and their petition for a scrutiny committee); Mums and Dads with tots and children (celebrating the end of exile from school) chalked the pavement.

We were reminded of the Palestinian issue, Demilitarise Education, and problems facing renters. Later moving testimony was given from the sister of Chris Alder who had been died in police custody 22 years ago. Young Manchester FoE members, School Strikers and other young folk spoke in varied ways: some sweary, some naïve, some inarticulate in their distress.

Eventually we had a chance to point out the links between trade and ecological and climate breakdown. People listened, but action is more difficult and was disappointingly not evident.

Marching

Later the faithful went on a wander-march around the city centre, supposedly to see the sites of “climate sinners”, though the only couple of stations I noted were outside the DWP (2 St Peter’s Sq., underneath Ernst and Young and next door to KPMG, both of whom Christian Aid challenged a few years ago (with PwC and Deloitte) for their failures to make climate-impact reporting norms for banks. Banks were not visited (their day will come) and we ended up squeezing past a police van and legion to admire a pink sprayed building hidden next to the Rising Sun and Credit Union offices in Lincoln Square. We were told this was used by the Daily Mail. We had a bit of a sing song and made our way back to St. Peter’s Square.

We left at that point having tickets for the launch of Nick Dearden’s book. Many others sat around taking refreshments before a vigil, more speakers and workshops.

The knock on effect of the pandemic depleting the audience resulted in what I found a bit disappointing after last year. One always has a first flush but now they were victims of their success – Deansgate is still largely pedestrianised and their threat to business is well enough perceived for mass media to almost blank them.

Supportive councilors were conspicuous by their absence and there were fewer non-campaigners engaged. An incredible amount of expense, organisation and work had gone into preparing publications, hardware, and roles; they could have coped with many more attending.

Then came the rain…

I went along on Tuesday where a much smaller gathering was blighted by persistent rain. There were even fewer passers-by to be engaged but some fun was had by a mass dance. Later we were led off by a circuitous route, with police motorcyclists buzzing too and fro to block off streets . This ended in Dale Street outside the offices of Boohoo where there was some shouting, a smoke flare was let off and (when the samba band arrived) there was more sound. Unfortunately my camera conked out due to the rain and photocopied posters decomposed.

Take away learning experiences:

  1. Get your speech in early by making contact with the organisers before we did!

  2. Have plenty of materials to give away (we virtually ran out as the climate stickers, illustrated climate justice booklet and A4 window posters were taken eagerly- we can only hope that they will be deployed strategically).

  3. Have an action as easy as possible- even with QR codes, getting people to sign a postcard there and then is easier than an e action on a mobile. A giant postcard to sign works well.

  4. Rebels are energetic, committed and imaginative; they are diverse and taking strikes to ensure their inclusivity – we would do well to be inspired and learn much from them; but many lack campaigning experience and can seem to suffer from tunnel vision – we should offer help.

  5. The Rebels achieved a lot with a lot of people taking things on and turning up.

  6. No matter what is planned, the weather and people’s personal and legislated responses to the pandemic may be determinative.

  7. Cover up in the rain, have a prepared “Plan B” stunt to exploit it, or go home!

Getting the threat of TrumpinYourTrolley out to those not in our networks

by

As the government steams full ahead to achieve the trade situation it wants there seem to have been daily headlines saying one thing and another- often conflicting and yet perhaps all part of a “great game” to distract protesting activists away from profound issues, allowing them to feel satisfied with peripheral items, sacrificed for the greater gain.

One distraction may be the squabble over “Chlorinated chicken”- the washing of slaughtered poultry in weak solutions of the chemical used widely in swimming pools. (Peracitic acid is also being used as an antimicrobial wash.)

Daily it seems there are clear and indignant protestations from members of the government that there will be no weakening of food and animal welfare standards and certainly no chlorine washed chicken; yet, as if in a ping-pong game, senior figures in the US continue to insist on its acceptance, not only in the UK, but across Europe.

Although there are perhaps more far-reaching and reliable issues we can challenge, food is an emotive issue and for many people the implications for animal welfare are also extremely important. This should make them sit up and pay attention to messages about things they are not usually interested in. So it makes sense to still exploit silly images of chicken suits, placards and props.

However we should also make sure we explain that the issue is far wider by pointing to other consumer issues that people may relate to more such as cosmetics, petro-chemical uses, mining degradation of the environment, air and water standards.

And let’s not forget issues such as Genetically Modified / Engineered foods (and keep an eye and ear open for related euphemisms such as “Synthetic Biology”, used on Radio 4 on the 8th Feb) and the wholesale harvesting and export of data – both metadata on our internet use when we click on a “Yes” at a new website, and also the confidential medical data the NHS holds on us and our families. This, it is reported, is exported to the US where it can be sold to commercial interests in Big Pharma to develop treatments that will be sold back to the NHS in a developing era/market of bespoke designer medicines and interventions. (Of course this focus will also take efforts away from developing responses to then needs of the poor.)

But in the meantime, we have been using the “Trump Selection” materials to draw attention to the #TrumpinYourTrolley website and action card. In recent weeks boxes (containing the card) have been left in trolleys outside supermarkets.

Wishing to spread Tesco’s corporate cheer a few boxes were donated to a car-park tree where they could attract the attention of admirers.

Occasionally boxes have been left on the shelf where there is a space amongst similar lines (boxed/ bubble wrapped Chicken portions and packets of easy-cook rice or vegetables for children). These have been photographed and shared through twitter, trying to point out the incongruity of the spoof line with what is currently on offer- the target isn’t the supermarkets.

Last week we went out again, this time moving up-market to Morrisons in Chorlton. This had virtually no staff restocking shelves (in contrast to some high turnover/ low volume convenience stores it the city centre) and we experienced no challenges from security staff as we transferred boxes from a carrier to basket and thence to shelves and chiller cabinet. One only needs a couple of boxes, and as elsewhere the shelf-labels provided proved unusable with the fittings in the shop

This is an easy action to take and you don’t have to be James Bond! If you feel unconfident, photos can also be staged in public spaces using props and situations that are provided.

Examples used and tweeted include the Gandhi statue and graffiti- people can be drawn to these by use of hash-tags, but of course they don’t have the immediate tie in of a card to send with its explanation.

If you fancy doing your own bit of campaigning in your local area and supermarkets, contact offleyroad@globaljustice.org.uk and they will send what you need or contact globaljusticemanchester@fastmail.com and we’ll come to do it with you. As the weather improves why not join together for a market stall promoting the new line to the public- perhaps at Levy Market? Why not find a supermarket trolley, get a Trump Mask, red tie and blue suit and stage a photo with him in the trolley dispensing “goodies”?

From Fairtrade to Global Justice – campaigning in Fairtrade Fortnight 2019

by

Chorlton Councillor Eve Holt shows support

Fairtrade can be regarded flippantly as an indulgence by the middle classes wanting to assuage their consciences by spending a few pence more on nice chocolate, wine, craft or textiles.

But although nobody ever gets rich from being a FT producer, the dividend paid and (self) respect accruing from having a fixed contract and not being at the mercy of manipulated markets is in itself not only a moral and morale good, it puts children in school and food in their bellies. And decisions made by community groups on the ground as to how they spend their money gives ownership and security to development projects such as clinics, infrastructure such as water supplies and roads, and training and communal workshop facilities.

Family Group2
Whole families got involved!

So it’s natural that whatever the “mainstream” campaigns Global Justice Now is running, each year GJManc. tends to do a campaign action for Fairtrade Fortnight. This year the campaigning side of FTF was more in evidence with a petition calling for guaranteeing a “living wage” for chocolate producers under the hashtag #Shedeserves.

To this end we ran stalls on Friday and Saturday in Chorlton, picking up customers going to Unicorn on Friday and some ward councillors and Saturday shoppers. Initially leading with the FTF card, we followed up with GJN #StopISDS campaign cards, making the point that ISDS could stop the City council favouring Fairtrade (as well as a number of other evils).

Signing a campaign card

This worked well. People knew about FT and trusted it, appreciating the rationale of the campaign and its going beyond feel-good shopping; that done they were receptive to learning about the Trade (In)Justice potential of ISDS.

We also invited people to pose for photos (for tweeting) with messages and thereby promote this campaign further and reduplicate the effort. Chorlton councillors were happy to do so, and may be helpful in the future if their support is needed.  

Steph. Pennells

GJ Manchester

You can tell the Prime Minister that future trade deals should work for the poor here #SheDeserves

 

The stop ISDS petition is here

 

Is Fairtrade worthwhile? See the discussion on the GMTAN Trade Action Blog

“A World for the many, not the few”: Kate Osamor at the Global Development Institute

by

Members of Global Justice Manchester and the Jubilee Debt Campaign turned out to hear Kate Osamor, shadow development secretary, speak at the University of Manchester Global Development Institute on Friday.

Kate stated that “aggressive change” is necessary since inequality is a defining feature of the world situation, and malnutrition is increasingly widespread. In addition, violence to women, unequal pay and climate change are issues that have their greatest impact on the poorest people. She pointed to an international system of tax avoidance, facilitated by local elites.

Introducing Labour’s Green Paper on international development, she called for a challenge to the fundamental economic causes of poverty, rather than the symptoms, outlining five necessary measures

KateOsamorMU

  1. The advance of feminism.
  2. A fairer global economy, including:
    1. an attack on tax avoidance;
    2. more debt relief;
    3. fairer trade;
    4. national wealth to remain in situ.
  3. A Global movement for public services and an end to PFIs.
  4. A drive for World Peace including restrictions on the international arms trade, increased help for migrants and an ethical foreign policy.
  5. Measures to mitigate climate change in recognition that it is a major driver of poverty and that we have only 12 years left in which to act including:
    1. an end to subsidies for fossil fuels;
    2. investment in renewable energy;
    3. new measures of wealth and wellbeing to replace GDP growth.

Kate spoke of alternative models of prosperity, based on the key recognition that inequality is holding back progress. It is a problem that industry is not currently rooted in local communities. We need to build worldwide progressive movements which will demand an increased say for civil society. We must also recognise that aid alone is not enough; donor countries must not take more than they give.

MembersMUOf course, this agenda faces many obstacles, some of which were raised in the questions that followed, but it came as a breath of fresh air in comparison to current government policy.

Afterwards, activists handed out ‘Drop the Debt’ and ‘Sick? Scratch Cards’ to people leaving the event.  These were well received and we had some interesting discussions,

Join the fight for affordable medicines