Campaigners gathered in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park from midday. There was a relaxed, expectant atmosphere with many making the most of the sunshine for a picnic. A Mad Banker's tea party was in full swing, complete with White Rabbit and Alice. The performers were taking cheap jam tarts to the picnics of campaigners to represent the cheap goods which flood the markets of poor countries. Meanwhile drum troupe Fearless Rhythm were getting the crowd drumming. Each campaigner picked up a placard with the photo and story of one of four people whose lives have been damaged by the IMF and World Bank.

Read their stories here
Listen: Gearing up for the march (podcast)

Daleep Mukarji, Director of Christian Aid, told the assembled crowd that the UK government had just agreed to withhold £50 million of its funding to the World Bank. He thanked campaigners for their support. They responded with cheers and drumming. He said, 'This is excellent news and a vindication of all your hard work'. But he also noted that this was a first step.

'The IMF and World Bank are still imposing damaging economic conditions on their loans and as such are unfit for purpose. Now the UK government must withhold the rest of its funds until those organisations substantially reform themselves' he said.

Before leaving for the march, campaigners also heard from Christian Aid trade justice ambassadors Ronan Keating and Adjoa Andoh and Ibrahim Akalbila from Christian Aid partner organisation ISODEC. Ibrahim told the crowd, 'We are aware that there is a big hold on our governments by the IMF and World Bank. We are taking a message to the heart of the UK government to say conditions must stop.'

Video: Take it to the Treasury
Listen: In the park (podcast)     

The march wound its way from the park, across Lambeth Bridge, past the Houses of Parliament and Parliament Square, ending in Whitehall Place outside the Treasury. Drummers led the march with the beat going back in waves towards the end of the march. African drums, pots and pans were used to drum out the message, even spoons and other kitchen utensils! The march ended outside the Treasury to send a message to Gordon Brown that he must stop paying for poverty.

The march was an inspiring sight, with campaigners carrying placards with the photos of poor people affected by the damaging policies of the IMF and World Bank. People like Ayine, Samba, Máxima and Paul face the impact of IMF and World Bank policies every day.

The marchers paused for a minute's silence outside Downing Street as a petition with 25,066 signatures and a drum were delivered to Number 11 Downing Street to Gordon Brown. The silence ended with a roar from the crowd and a loud beating of drums.

The rally ended with some short speeches urging the campaigners to continue campaigning and to take the stories of the people on their placards back to their communities. One of the speakers was Rebecca Tanui, from Christian Aid partner organisation BEACON from Kenya. She read a moving prayer by Oscar Romero which ends with the words, 'We are prophets of a future not our own.'

A brilliant day was enjoyed by all. Jordana, 21 from Essex said, 'It is absolutely amazing, I'm really enjoying it. There are loads of people here which is fantastic.'

Mary Cameron from Croydon said, 'I am enjoying it tremendously. It is great to be part of such a big and effective organisation, with all the people marching along.'

It's not just in the UK that campaigners were marching. In Sri Lanka, more than 2,000 people took to the streets in a rally organised by Christian Aid partner organisation MONLAR (Movement for National Land and Agricultural Reform). 

Photos: Drum trade justice home photos
Video: Take it to the Treasury

Justin Macmullan, Christian Aid's Campaigns Policy Officer reported back from the IMF and World Bank meetings. Christian Aid, along with many other NGOs boycotted the official meetings due to a crackdown on civil society by the authorities in Singapore. You can check out what Justin got up to on the Exchange. Read our verdict on the meetings.

On 5 December Hilary Benn released the £50 million that he had been withholding from the World Bank. Find out more 

We'll be asking Brown and Benn to do more to reform the IMF and World Bank. Watch this space for more actions in 2007.
Act now: Find the latest actions here  

Blog: Campaigners blog 
Blog: Singapore blog
http://www.christianaid.org.uk/news/stories/060914s.htm
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