Thousands to march for jobs, climate ahead of G20 summit

Thousands of people from across the globe will march through London on Saturday, ahead of the G20 summit to be attended by prime minister Manmohan Singh among
others, demanding jobs, end to poverty and green economy.

Members of Put People First, an unprecedented alliance of more than 150 unions, development, faith and environment groups, are calling on the G20 leaders to recognise that only just, fair and sustainable policies can lead the world out of recession.

"The Put? People First march for jobs, justice and climate brings together more than 150 groups committed to making the event a peaceful and law-abiding call on the G20
governments to commit to policies that will deliver jobs, and poverty and move to a low-carbon economy," Glen Tarman of BOND, the chair of the organising team, said.

At a rally in Hyde Park, in the heart of the city, they will hear calls for a co-ordinated fiscal stimulus to create and preserve jobs, international action to ensure that an out of control finance sector never threatens the stability of the global economy again and a commitment from world leaders that they will move to a low carbon economy.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh, the US president Barack Obama and the Chinese president Hu Jintao are among the leaders attending the summit at Excel Centre in London's Docklands on April 2. 

A key message is that G20 leaders must not just fix the recession but make sure that the world emerges a fairer and greener place, and does not go back to pre-downturn
business as usual. Union delegations and poverty campaigners will be coming from around the world including Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Korea, USA, Australia, South Africa, Zambia, Canada and the Philippines. 

Supporters of Put People First range from the TUC to the Salvation Army, Friends of the Earth to Oxfam and Shelter to War on Want. The organisers said that the march gives ordinary people a voice to express their anger at the policies that have seen poverty exist alongside huge top banker bonuses. 

The organisers have rejected as smears claims that the march will be anything other than a peaceful, law-abiding event suitable for all the family.

"The event has been organised in full co-operation  with the police and the Hyde Park authorities.? We have no evidence that anyone attending intends to disrupt our plans,
break the law or commit any acts of violence.? Nor have the police informed us that they have any such intelligence.

"Put People First is not organising or collectively supporting any other demonstrations or protest events being held in the subsequent week to coincide with the G20 summit."

Marchers will assemble on the Embankment from 11am en route to Hyde Park for a rally at 2.30 pm on Saturday to be addressed by speakers and celebrities from the UK and around the world, including Luke Pritchard of the Kooks, activist-comedian Mark Thomas and singer Daby Toure. Church leaders, including the Bishop of London, dr
Richard chartres, will join an ecumenical service at Central Hall in Westminster at 11 am, which is expected to be attended by more than 2,000 people and which will then feed into the march at Westminster.