Happy anniversary

(View online) ([link removed])
Hi friend, did you see Tim's email below?

This week we are celebrating 25 years since the biggest mobilisation of debt campaigners the world had ever seen. 70,000 people descended on Birmingham and formed a human chain around the city to demand debt cancellation - in 1998. From that movement, our organisation Debt Justice, formerly Jubilee Debt Campaign was born.

Here are some more photos we have found in the archive:

So many of you have been in touch sharing your own memories of that day, like Jenny below - thank you, it has been heartening hearing the stories and seeing the photos.

“I was there, as part of a group from the two churches in my village. We travelled to Birmingham by coach from North Somerset, and attended several events around the centre of Birmingham, as well as joining the human chain. I might well be in one of the pictures below! It was the beginning of many years of campaigning and raising awareness of debt and other global issues within the churches of the Diocese of Bath & Wells. Thanks again for reminding me of what was such a significant day.” - Jenny Humphreys

Many have also noted that it is a shame to be in a similar situation again, with 54 countries currently in debt distress. That is why we are campaigning for structural solutions - we want to pass a new law which could force private lenders to stop acting like global cowboys, as well as rewriting the rules to stop debt build up in the first place. Will you donate to the campaign and support our work?
Yes, I'll support you ([link removed])

Thanks so much for everything you do. If you have any memories of the human chain please do get in touch and share your photos and thoughts.

In solidarity,

Zak

Campaigner – Debt Justice (formerly Jubilee Debt Campaign)

PS. If you want to read more, here is a blog my colleague Tim wrote to mark the occasion ([link removed])
Hi friend,

On this day 25 years ago, over 70,000 people came together to form a human chain around the city of Birmingham to call for debt cancellation.

We won debt cancellation before and we need to win debt justice again.
Will you support the fight for debt justice? ([link removed])

The world’s most powerful leaders were holding a G8 meeting in Birmingham in 1998 – I was there, were you?

I can still feel that electric atmosphere as tens of thousands of us came together to powerfully demand debt cancellation.

By the time we were in our designated places the sun was shining on Birmingham, people were laughing and the power of solidarity rang through-out the crowd. I was a wide eyed 16 year old, travelling with my church, inspired by the idea of cancelling debts as a true way to celebrate the millennium.
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Little did I know that 25 years later I would be working for the organisation that emerged out of that momentous occasion. For me it was the beginning of my journey into understanding debt as a global tool of exploitation and how we in the UK could campaign in solidarity with people in countries in debt crisis like Jamaica and Zambia.

As I did then, I fully believe we can achieve a debt jubilee again. Our work is urgent given the looming climate emergency, the recent pandemic and the current cost of living crisis, but even more relevant. That’s why we are fighting for systemic change - a new law to force private lenders to stop acting like cowboys ([link removed]) and take part in debt cancellation.

Campaigning together we managed to get $130bn of debt written off for lower income countries, but now we need to come together again. Debts are ballooning, 54 countries are in crisis, and this time we need to rewrite the rules to stop debt building up in the first place.

Will you support us again?
Yes, I'll support you ([link removed])

Thanks so much for everything you do. If you have any memories of the human chain please do get in touch and share your photos and thoughts.

In solidarity,

Tim Jones

Campaigner – Debt Justice (formerly Jubilee Debt Campaign)

PS. If you want to read more, here is a blog I've written to mark this occasion ([link removed])

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