ATTENTION PHOTO DESKS

Saturday 25th May. 
‘People before profit’ protest - giant fat cats and GATS monster terrorise shoppers in the Lanes - Gardner Street, Brighton @ 12. 30 pm. 

Contact: Sarah Berger, 01323 815727, or 07754 596424, email sarah@berger12.fsnet.co.uk 

Monster terrorises Brighton shoppers to highlight 'fat cat' threat

Campaigners will stage a ‘people before profit’ protest in the streets of Brighton on Saturday 25th May. A spectacular 12 metre long monster and several “fat cats” will chase and threaten basic services. This is to highlight a major international trade agreement that threatens both local public services in the UK and the development of poor countries around the world.

GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) is a WTO (World Trade Organisation) agreement. 

The stunt will feature members of Brighton World Development Movement (WDM) and Trade Justice Coalition. The GATS monster will chase and threaten people dressed as surreal giant taps (for water services), an electric plug (for electricity services), a book (for education services) a bus and bus stop (for transport services) and a first aid box (for health services).

' Our unjust trade rules rob poor countries of £1.3 billion every day, but nobody seems to realise this ' said Sarah Berger of WDM. ' Crucial decisions about GATS will be taken in June at the EU and at the G8 Summit which will adversely affect millions of poor people around the world. That's why we have to challenge the government to bring in trade rules that work for all, not just the multinational companies'

ENDS Page 1 of 2

Notes for editors

1. Spokespeople are available for interview
    

2. GATS is an international agreement under negotiation at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), designed to remove barriers to trade in the area of service delivery. This would oblige WTO member governments to negotiate away limits that restrict corporate activity in their service sectors. The scope of the agreement is massive, covering anything from postal delivery to building construction, supermarkets to water supplies. It will apply to both developed and developing countries.
    

3. More information on the General Agreement on Trade in Services , including a media briefing, is available from the WDM national press office on 020 7274 7630 or on the web at www.wdm.org.uk 
    

4. The World Development Movement works to tackle the root causes of world poverty. Through its groundbreaking campaigns it wins positive change for the world’s poorest people. WDM has over 12,000 members and 120 active local groups.
    

5. For details of the Brighton & Hove group contact 01323 815727 or email sarah@berger12.fsnet.co.uk  or visit www.not4profit.org.uk 
    

6. Members of Brighton WDM & the Trade Justice Coalition will be travelling to the Mass Lobby of Parliament on 19th June organised by the Trade Justice Movement. For details: www.tradejusticemovement.org.uk  
    

7. Route for the GATS monster: Assemble on grass at front of St Peters Church, York Place, Brighton (the side nearest sea) at 11. 30. Leave approx 12 noon - Gloucester St, Sydney St, Gardner St, Pavilion Gardens, East St, then to seafront (dependant on weather), St Bartholomew's, North Rd, Bond St and back up North Laines to St Peter's Church by approx 2.pm. Photo opportunity at Gardner St @ 12.30. Other possible photo opportunities will be outside the Pavilion in Pavilion Gardens, outside Town Hall, and at the Seafront. 

Page 2 of 2