16 July 2007

Anti Slavery petition and Amazing Grace

The movie “Amazing Grace” opens in NZ cinemas on July 19th. It is about William Wilberforce, played by Ioan Gryffud, and his campaign to abolish slavery. It was the first campaign of its type and used petitions and boycotts to make the issue of slavery a talking point. It was successful, and Wilberforce thought, in the 1800’s, that he had abolished slave labour. However, 200 years on slavery is still exists, and you may be supporting it.

There are currently 27 million slaves in the world - more than at any time in history. These children, men and women deserve the right to be free rather than serving slave masters in the production of items we consume - sugar, coffee, rice, shoes, cocoa and sportswear, among far too many others. We (often unknowingly and unwillingly) play a part in the increasing market for modern slaves.

We all need to help - please add your voice to this campaign – sign the petition online at www.tradeaid.org.nz and forward this message on to all your friends to encourage them to do the same.

Trade Aid’s petition asks the New Zealand government to make it illegal for products using slave labour in their supply chains to be imported into New Zealand. This law would make producers responsible for ensuring that their products do not support slavery.

So...sign the petition and see the movie and shop at Trade Aid - it is one way of making sure you are not supporting slave traders. Their chocolate and coffee is pretty good too!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Dear Ms P

I have signed the Trade Aid petition, but am now left with a craving for coffee and chocolate. Hope all is well.

Ms B
x

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