July 1 - International White Band Day

Remember to wear your white band on July 1, the first Global White Band Day.

Source: GCAP

July 1 will see people around the world wearing their white bands and wrapping public buildings in white to send a message to the G8 world leaders that they demand action on trade justice, debt cancellation, and more and better aid. International White Band Day will prove to be one of the largest global actions ever taken.

Below are just some of the White Band events planned. More will be announced soon. For more information or to get in touch with national coalitions, please visit the GCAP Country Coalitions section.

Massive white bands will be wrapped around buildings across the world, including:

The Soweto township of Johannesburg, South Africa, a group of shacks will be wrapped in a white band, to symbolise perpetuating poverty in Africa.

In Freetown, Sierra Leone, the famous cotton tree, planted by freed slaves when the nation was founded, will be draped in a white band.

In Senegal, the slavery archway will be wrapped in a white band.

From June 30 to July 14 the Sydney Harbour Bridge, in Australia, will be wrapped in a white band, with the Australian coalition's slogan "Make Poverty History" across it.

The Coliseum in Italy.

The Brandenburger Tor in Germany.

In Paris, France, the Trocadero's buildings which sit either side of the Eiffel Tower, will be wrapped with two white bands.

In Spain, bridges will be wrapping on the main highways of Spain.

In Georgia all the trees along the Central Avenue of the capital, Tbilisi, will be wrapped in white bands.

Marches, rallies, concerts and G8 Embassy actions are also planned around the world:

In South Africa the GCAP African regional coalition is planning a concert on July 2 to coincide with the planned Live 8 concerts. While in Zambia and Uganda concerts are planned for July 1 and July 2, respectively, to coincide with the White Band Day actions.

In the Philippines, a People's Summit and concert, will be followed by a rally of 10,000 people.

In Zambia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Bangladesh huge marches to G8 Embassies will be taking place on July 1.

In Brazil, there are plans for simultaneous demonstrations to be carried out in Sao Paulo, Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro.

In Ghana, a beach party with farmers groups is planned to highlight the plight of rice farmers, caused by unfair trade rules.

In India, a South Asian caravan will be launched, on July 1, which will be travelling across South Asia between now and the UN MDG Heads of State Summit in September 2005.