| Make Poverty History Facts | - Make Poverty History is the largest ever coalition assembled in the UK to fight global poverty and is is part of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty.
- Make Poverty History has put global poverty higher on the UK political agenda than ever before.
- Africa is one of the key themes for this year's G8 summit.
- Over 3.5 million white bands sold to the UK public – the symbol of the campaign.
- Africa is the world's poorest continent.
- Average life expectancy in Africa is 46 years and falling.
- In Africa a child dies every three seconds because of extreme poverty.
- Africa is the worst affected by HIV/AIDs with more than 25 million people living with HIV/AIDS and more than 12 million AIDS orphans.
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 | | Make Poverty History rally in Edinburgh |
The 3 aims of the demonstration were: drop the debt, trade justice and more and better aid Edinburgh is not one of the most central cities in the UK so for many it was early morning rises, long coach or train rides and for some (including me), sleeping in the wonderful comfort of a coach seat with the occasional luxury of a service station floor! I feel this is one of the reasons the demonstration was so admirable, here were people going out of their way to make a difference, to help people they had never met. We're marching for justice
 | | Walden Bellow in a press conference tent |
Despite the celebrity presence within London’s Hyde Park, the spirit of those if us in Edinburgh was not dampened. Some personalities had made their way North and appeared on the two stages in the Meadows - Daniel Bedingfield, Texas and prestigious actor Pete Postlethwaite encouraged those of us who were there. And at the press conference in the morning, passion and commitment were evident as Walden Bellow, director of Focus on the Global South, said “We are not here to march for charity, we are here to march for justice…we want to put development before change!” Dedication and passion
 | | Make Poverty History rally in Edinburgh |
Throughout the day drummers drummed, musicians played and people clapped and cheered as they made their way around the city. The atmosphere was one of sheer amazement at the scale of dedication and passion towards fighting the world’s biggest killer. Standing in the middle of crowds of people, you could not help but feel proud to be part of something that was so influential yet so simple. Banners, supplied by various organisations and others lovingly created at home, were held high above the sea of white that flooded the streets of Edinburgh.
 | | Alison Richards from Birmingham |
Cyclist and walkers travelled 100s of miles from places as far as Oxford, Birmingham and Southampton. Debt march from Birmingham to Edinburgh I was astounded at Alison Richards (age 67), who rode all the way from Birmingham to say three simple words “make them notice!” John Grey, Nick Tipworthy and Frances Seymour all walked their way from Birmingham to get their voices heard. There was another man who had ridden all the way from Southampton in a ‘put-put’ offering people lifts along the way. The reality of injustice
 | | Make Poverty History rally in Edinburgh |
At 3.00pm a minute’s silence fell on the heaving city. 250,000 people stood still. The only noise was the whirring of the helicopters above, recording the momentous occasion. Standing there in silence, it dawned on me the significance of what we were doing: within that single minute of silence 20 innocent children died needlessly. At various times throughout the day, gut-wrenching images of young children in destitution really brought home the reality of injustice. Feelings of anger at how appalling the situation was, guilt at how we had let it continue for so long and hope that maybe what we were doing was going to change the heartache that is poverty. Hope and faith
 | | Make Poverty History rally in Edinburgh |
The scale of the demonstration, although clouded by the media attention Live 8 caught, should not be underestimated. The key themes of the rally were always prominent. Although some expressed anger at world leaders, the majority proclaimed messages of determination, hope and justice. Surrounded by others there was a continual atmosphere of, above all, hope and faith in the future. I stood bowled over at people’s dedication and belief that debt relief is an essential, trade justice is a necessity and more and better aid is a must. Although often overwhelming, I was never worried about any suggestion of violence; people truly cared for each other, which only re-enforced the cause we were there for. Marching proud and strong
 | | Make Poverty History rally in Edinburgh |
Along with many others, I was hot, bothered and incredibly tired, yet this all paled into insignificance as we marched. Proud and strong this was our chance. Seemingly ‘nobodys’, office workers, builders, managers, bus drivers and tea ladies alike, we got our message across to those who would normally have brushed us off. How influential this protest is remains to be seen, however I believe that on Saturday 2nd July 2005 we made a difference; we raised our voices and they were heard! Making a difference
 | | Charis and sister Lottie |
Very rarely does the opportunity come where I can say ‘I am proud to be British’, but Saturday was an exception. We stood as individuals brought together as a nation by one single cause. For those who were at Hyde Park, those who marched on Edinburgh and all those who sent letters, organised demos and wore white bands, we have made a difference to the future of our world. As a nation we have a history of selfishness and greed, but here was our once in a lifetime opportunity to do something radical for others and I believe we seized it! Eight men, one golf course, millions of people’s futures. One world, one love, one chance! Charis Jones | 
