Peaceful Demonstration against debt strikes different note

The unusually sombre notes of a funeral brass band rang out over the river Vltava in Prague, as thousands of Jubilee 2000 protesters made their way across Prague City Centre to demand that the IMF and World Bank cancel the debt. The demonstration initially struck a very different note to the traditionally vibrant human chains that have encircled meetings of the G8 leaders in the last three years. Instead of colourful T-shirts, flags and whistles, more than 2000 campaigners formed a funeral procession wearing black and led by giant crosses, representing the 19,000 lives lost every day because of debt. Twelve Czech brass players led the procession playing traditional funeral marching songs. The different tone reflected the mood of protesters mourning the continued deaths as a result of the debt crisis and the failure of creditor nations to meet their promises on debt cancellation.

"Today’s demonstration rightly had a sombre note – placing a cross after the march was a reminder that there is a real cost to the ongoing scandal of debt. While previous human chains have struck a joyful note of solidarity and celebration, today was a reminder that the Jubilee still seems to be a distant hope," said Stephen Rand, Prayer and Campaigns Director of Tearfund. "It is vital to demonstrate to the IMF and world bank that the movement remains as passionate as ever about the need for immediate action to break the chains of debt, " he continued.

The march was preceded by a special interfaith service in a packed church at the centre of Prague. Together with representatives of Jewish and Buddhist faiths, worshippers recommitted themselves to the campaign. Rev Silishebo from Zambia preached on the theme of Jubilee saying that debt cancellation had the potential to "free billions from enslavement" and offered a "a fresh start, and possibility of a new relationship and partnership between North and South."

The congregation emerged into brilliant sunshine to join hundreds of others before marching in funeral-style across the river and up steep steps onto the top of Letna. At the summit, campaigners were greeted by an impressive spectacle of two giant puppets of the IMF and World Bank operated by seven individuals wearing the face masks of the leaders of the G7. To cheers from the growing crowd, Sam Kobia from the World Council of Churches, Tomas Tozicka of Czech Jubilee 2000 and Ann Pettifor, Director of Jubilee 2000 UK spoke passionately and thanked supporters for their continued struggle against injustice. Sam Kobia noted the symbolism of holding the demonstration in Letna, formerly the site of a giant statue of Stalinism and now a giant metronome . He said "Prague has become a symbol of non-violent resistance against totalitarianism" that has inspired many campaigners. Noting that each stroke of the metronome marked the death of a child due to the debt crisis, he said that that campaigners had to fight against "a new totalitarianism of debt". "For Africans, your presence here reminds us we are not alone in struggling under the yoke of debt which yields death. Together a united global movement brought down apartheid. We have a world which is increasingly a globalised apartheid and together we will also bring this unjust system to an end."

The demonstration ended on a much more upbeat note, as campaigners descended down the steps to rejoin the brass band before marching into the centre of Prague. Led by a giant petition globe, made up of the millions of petitions signatures handed over at the G8 Summit in Cologne, people brandished placards in different languages and shouted familiar slogans: "What do we want? Drop the Debt!! When do we want it? NOW!!" The march ended on a decidedly hopeful note as people broke through a giant chain into the beautiful Old Town Square.

The demonstration was a truly international one, with representatives of countries across Europe as well as campaigners from Japan, USA, Zambia, Ecuador, South Africa and many other countries. Peter Cherr who had travelled from Perth, Scotland said: "It was a long way to come, but I really enjoyed it. I have met some amazing folk out campaigning. I must admit to being a bit cynical but we have firmly put debt on the agenda – two years ago no-one was talking about it, now everyone is. So I’m still hopeful"

Sarah Fishwick, who came to Prague with 10 others from Leeds Jubilee 2000 Network, talked of her personal experience motivating her to come to Prague. During the summer, she had stayed with a family in Nicaragua, whose son was very ill. She said: "I have been involved in campaigning for some time but the issue was really brought home to me by my recent experience in Nicaragua. When Jimmy fell ill, he had to have hospital treatment that cost almost four months salary for his mother, who is a teacher. It was very obvious that debt is having a very detrimental impact on Nicaragua. The HIPC initiative is clearly not working as Nicaragua’s debts continue to grow and people pay the price - I have had enough of the hypocrisy of broken promises by the creditors. Although debt cancellation is only a first step, action is urgently needed now."

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