Crowds bear witness for the world’s poorest people

On Saturday 1st October, hundreds of campaigners came together to bear witness for the world’s poorest people on the eve of the Conservative Party Conference. We were asking our government to lead international efforts to support those most affected by our changing climate. On the hottest October day on record, we wanted them to feel the heat.

CAFOD campaigners from 19 dioceses across England and Wales first united at Salford Cathedral. We heard from CAFOD director Chris Bain and the CAFOD campaigns team about the challenges posed by climate change to people living in poverty. CAFOD’s current campaign, Don’t Drop the Ball, reminds the government not to drop the ball on climate change ahead of important UN talks in December. So it’s a crucial time for the government to hear our voices calling loud and clear for climate justice.

"A movement of people"

After the Energiser afternoon, CAFOD campaigners left Salford to join with friends from Tearfund and Christian Aid for an ecumenical service at Manchester Cathedral. Rev Dr Martin Poulsom SDB, CAFOD supporter, said “I’m here in Manchester to be a movement of people. I’m looking forward to meeting other people who feel passionate about the things that I am passionate about”.

At the service, supporters heard from South African Theologian Tinyiko Maluleke, who said "Humans act like they have carte blanche to do with the world as we please", and Tearfund partner James Kalikwembe, who said ‘It is up to Christians to stand up against injustice”. And that’s exactly what we did, as we took to the streets of Manchester, and marched our message to the Conservative Party Conference.

With placards held high, and our voices raised in hymn, our calls to action were clear. As Jo Mountford, CAFOD campaigner, said: “We’re here today to tell politicians to live up to their promise to be the greenest government ever”.

Planting seeds of hope

The march ended with a moving candlelit vigil in Albert Square. Kevin McCullough, Head of Campaigns, said: “At times like these we’re reminded of the words of Martin Luther King: ‘Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.’ Two years ago before the Copenhagen climate talks we marched as a roaring wave. Tonight, we are by our very presence here, planting apple trees and seeds of hope. We’ll be watching for when blue and yellow truly make green”.

You can help hold the government to their promise today. If you haven’t done so already, please remind the government not to drop the ball on climate change. Every one of your actions makes a difference.