Rock band to lead largest-ever lobby of parliament

Rock band Radiohead have pledged to join in the largest-ever lobby of parliament on global trade, next month. On 19 June, more than 10,000 people from many of the UK's 659 parliamentary constituencies are expected to converge on Westminster to meet their MPs and press for greater justice in global trade. The lobby is being organised by the Trade Justice Movement (TJM)* a grouping of charities, aid agencies and campaigning groups calling for fundamental changes in the rules and institutions governing international trade. Among the many Christian groups taking part is Catholic aid agency CAFOD. Spokesman Patrick Nicholson said: "The lobby will send a clear message that British voters want the rules on international trade rewritten to favour the world's poorest communities and safeguard the environment." He said: "People in Britain care passionately about the plight of the world's poorest people and about the environment, and they will demonstrate this to their MPs on 19 June. "This event will not only show politicians that they have a clear mandate from voters in the UK to act to change international trade rules, but it may also become a significant landmark in the country's political history." The focal point of the lobby takes place at 3.30pm, when a 'Mexican Wave' of noise will pass through the line of people waiting to meet their MPs. This will signal the beginning of the lobby, which will see MPs being taken in rickshaws to meet their constituents. The lobby queue is expected to stretch down Millbank, over Lambeth Bridge and along the embankment on the South side of the river Thames. Programme: 1:30pm - Rallies at Methodist Central Hall and the Emmanuel Centre, Marsham Street, Westminster, with Vandana Shiva, Martin Khor, speakers from developing countries, and directors of aid and environment agencies 2:30pm - Participants form giant queue to meet their MPs 3:30pm - 'Mass Moment' photo opportunity - Mexican wave of noise stretching from the House of Commons St Stephen's Entrance along both sides of the River Thames The lobby will continue until 8.30pm. There will also be debates, music and events at Methodist Central Hall and the Emmanuel Centre, Marsham Street, Westminster * The Trade Justice Movement members include: Action Aid, ACTSA, ADRA-UK, African Initiatives, Babymilk Action, British Association of Fairtrade Shops, Banana Link, CAFOD, Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Care International UK, Carlisle One World Centre, Christian Aid, Consumers International, Credo Arts Centre, Devon Trade Justice Network, The Fairtrade Foundation, Find Your Feet, Friends of the Earth, Intermediate Technology Development Group, International Federation for Alternative Trade, Methodist Relief and Development Fund, National Federation of Women's Institutes, Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign, Oxfam, Peace Child International, People & Planet, Peru Support Group, Reading International Solidarity Centre, Re-generation, Save the Children, SCIAF, SPEAK, Tearfund, Tools for Self Reliance, Traidcraft, Trinity and All Saints Chaplaincy, United Reformed Church, VSO, War on Want, WOMANKIND, Women's Environmental Network, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and the World Development Movement.