Make poverty history

 Make capitalism history

The millions of people who were moved by a sense of international solidarity to give money to the tsunami appeal are acting again. This time, however, they are not only donating money - they are demonstrating.

Hannah Sell

Already three million have pledged support for Make Poverty History and it is expected that a quarter of a million or more of them will demonstrate on the eve of the G8 meeting in Edinburgh on 2 July. Many will stay to participate in demonstrations throughout the week.

Everyone is supporting Make Poverty History - celebrities, churches, charities, national newspapers, school and colleges; politicians from Gordon Brown to Michael Howard. Of course, in reality New Labour and the Tories before them have failed to even increase aid to the UN target of 0.7% of national income.

Big business politicians

Both parties champion the policies of privatisation that are driving millions into poverty worldwide. But it is not the empty phrases of the big business politicians that is most significant about this campaign for socialists - it is the fact that they believe pledging to abolish world poverty will make them popular.

The mainstream politicians are being forced to respond to a deeply felt mood - shown by the anti-war movement and the tsunami appeal. Working-class people in Britain today are more internationalist than ever before.

It is crucial that ISR and the Socialist Party mobilise for this demonstration. In doing so we will meet tens of thousands of trade unionists, students and school students who have pledged to make poverty history and are looking for a means to achieve their goal. The ideas they are looking for are the ideas of socialism - we have to make sure they find them.

Come to the ISR international youth camp

2nd to 7th July

Travel to and from Edinburgh & camp including food and transport to all G8 counter-summit events

£85 unwaged/ low-paid, £105 waged

If you can’t make the whole week join ISR on the demonstration in Edinburgh on 2 July

Travel to and from 2nd of July Make Poverty History demo in Edinburgh from London

£35 unwaged/low-paid, £55 waged

For details of transport from your area to the 6 July demonstration phone 020 8558 7947 or email anticapitalism@hotmail.co.uk