Global Justice Now Reading

Shoppers in Broad Street Reading were shocked to see ‘Donald Trump’ promoting the range of food he wants to include in the new US/UK trade deal, including chlorine washed chicken and baby food containing arsenic and pesticides. Secret talks have already started between the US and the UK over a deal, and leaked documents have shown government officials discussing how to ‘sell’ American food standards to the British public.
Many people stopped to sign cards to the secretary of State for International trade asking her to oppose any US/UK trade deal that lowers our food standards or opens the NHS to US corporations.

A small group of us attended the Free For All Arts performance on the NHS and its challenges in the light of privatisation. We gave gave attendees cards on Save Our NHS.

Details to be announced

John Christensen, eminent Economist, made another visit to talk about The Climate Emergency – Financing the Transition to Sustainability. The tax justice network (https://www.taxjustice.net/2020/03/12/financing-climate-justice/) has since published a report putting forward John’s ideas. We recommend you read it. The large audience (70+)including many young people were much appreciative, asking deep and critical questions, which John answered clearly and with authority.

Tom Lake gave a fact-filled talk based on the book: The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better is a book by Richard G. Wilkinson and Kate Pickett. The authors point out that the life-diminishing results of valuing growth above equality in rich societies can be seen all around us, which Tom illustrated with his review. The audience were very appreciative and demanding with their questions, as usual.

Local MP Candidates shared their Party Manifestos on Global Justice Issues, especially trade and trade deals. This was followed by questions and incisive comments from our well-informed audience.