Thousands turn out to Make Poverty History
Dublin came to a standstill tonight as thousands took to the streets in a bid to help Make Poverty History.
Organisers of the event called on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to deliver on long-standing promises to spend 0.7% of GNP on overseas aid.
The rally, supported by rock icons Bono, Bob Geldof and REM, began at Parnell Square before marching through the city to Merrion Square for a night of music and activities.
Organisers billed it as a curtain-raiser to other worldwide events in the run-up to Saturday’s official Live 8 concerts and next week’s G8 summit in Scotland.
Irish NGOs represented tonight included Trocaire, the Debt and Development Coalition, Dochas and Oxfam Ireland.
Oxford Ireland spokesman Colin Roche said: “The turnout is fantastic – the numbers and noise and colour.
“Irish people have really added their voice to the global movement to make poverty history.”
Opposition leader Enda Kenny said it was “reprehensible” that Ireland had turned its back on the poorest of the poor by reneging on its 2001 aid promises.
“We might be the second-richest country in Europe, but it’s just 150 years since one million of our people died of hunger,” he said.
“Overseas aid is not about charity. It’s about justice, freedom, health, opportunity. It’s about political, moral responsibility.”
Band Aid trustee Midge Ure said tonight that Make Poverty History rallies would put Africa firmly back on the political agenda.
He said: “We’ve got politicians who are the same age as the rock stars, which is incredible.
“There’s a lot of unity happening right now.
“You see all these elements coming together and you’re going to get an explosion,” he told RTE Radio.
The Make Poverty History rally received 20,000 messages of support after Bono called on fans at three sold-out U2 concerts in Dublin over the weekend to text their determination to bring an end to world poverty.
Tonight’s rally, which cost €30,000 to organise, was set up to highlight the fight against poverty rather than raise funds.
The event was kicked-off by fake G8 leaders dressed in kilts and included “Nessie the Monster” with three “humps” of debt, aid and trade.
The evening featured a mix of Irish and African music including The Walls, Kila, Mundy, The Devlins, Hothous Flowers and the Garden Street Gospel Choir and the Ballymun Gospel Choir.
