Drop It!
The 'Drop the Debt' parade took place in Oxford this weekend, as part of the World Development Movement's campaign for 'justice for the world's poor'.
The vociferous, colourful, yet completely peaceful parade set off from South Parks at 2pm on Saturday - winding its way through the crowded streets of Oxford City Centre. Its message was heard for the length of High Street as over two hundred people carrying banners and placards swept along the pavements, absorbing several sympathetic pedestrians along the way.
'Drop the Debt, it can't be met' read one placard. Laura Merrill, a graduate of Lincoln College, and Oxford University Drop the Debt Co-ordinator Anna Shepard (Christ Church) led the chanting: "What do we want? Drop the Debt! When do we want it? NOW!"
After taking over Cornmarket for ten minutes, the Kakatsitsi Ghanaian Drummers lead the throng of protestors into Broad Street. The sunshine enhanced the carnival atmosphere, something for which David Hillman of Drop the Debt UK was clearly grateful as he roused the assembled mass: "Some people may think the debt crisis is over because they've heard the spin of Western governments. Still now seven million people die each year because of debt. The job is nowhere near done".
Speakers from Pakistan, Argentina, and the Democratic Republic of Congo regaled protestors and passers-by alike with the problems which crippling debt has inflicted on their countries. "While my country struggles to meet debt repayments, the people are without the most basic provisions of education and healthcare. This cannot go on" argued Cissa Gaston of the DRC.
The event was organised by the Oxford Drop the Debt group, with the help of town and university campaign groups such as Oxford Friends of the Earth. Ben Hayhow explained: "Drop the Debt is a short term initiative to get a new deal on debt at the G7 summit in Genoa". The afternoon also gave people the chance to sign the petition going to G7 and send postcards to ministers involved.
Further entertainment was provided by Samba bands and a tug-of-war contest - 'IMF/World Bank vs. People of the World'! The 'people' duly won the struggle.
Joe Walker of Drop the Debt captured the mood of the day: "The Jubilee movement is about people power. This is one world and one family of people that has problems that can be eradicated, it just needs the will".
24th May 2001