And what did I do ? Same as I did that summer’s day, 20 years ago. I ran 10 km, and I watched a concert.
It’s not going to change the world. Or is it ?
“This is a moment in history where ordinary people have had the chance to achieve something truly monumental and demand from the eight world leaders at G8 an end to proverty. Twenty years on from Live Aid, it strikes me as morally repulsive and intellectually absurd that people die of want in a world of surplus. We know what it costs. In the global economic scale, it’s absolutely nothing. The G8 leaders can affect history. By doubling aid, fully cancelling debt, and delivering trade justice for Africa, the G8 could change the future for millions of men, women and children.”
– Bob Geldof
“This is Live 8 – the greatest rock show in the history of the world.”
– Jonathan Ross, BBC
“This is our moment. This is our time. This is our chance to stand up for what’s right. We’re not looking for charity, we’re looking for justice. We cannot fix every problem, but the ones we can, we must.”
– Bono
“Some day all people will be able to lead a healthy life. It will be the best thing humanity has ever done.”
– Bill Gates
“2.8 billion people live on less than $ 2 a day, the amount received in subsidies by the average European cow.”
– The Independent on Sunday, London
“It feels like change could really happen with the G8 here in Britain. World leaders only do things that they think will please their voting public. I think Britain is amazing because Britain really cares about this stuff….. People are cynical about everything but we sing ballads and talk about fair trade – it’s an incredible thing to be doing.”
– Chris Martin, Coldplay
“We know what we want to do. There is a plan. There isn’t a Plan B. Plan B is that we continue to watch them die.”
– Bob Geldof
“Hyde Park – you look **** beautiful tonight.”
– Robbie Williams
“For the cost of four US Stealth bomber aircraft, it would be possible to put 100 million children through school.”
– The Independent on Sunday, London
“For God’s sake, take this seriously. Don’t behave normally. Don’t look for compromises. Be great. Do more than expected, not the least you can get away with. You know what will really make a difference, what will turn extreme poverty around. What will actually begin to save the lives of millions of men, women and children. Do it. Please, do it. The world is watching.”
– Open letter from the Live8 organisers to G8, 2nd July 2005.
(images BBC, Getty Images, AP, callumalden/Flickr)
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roads of stone 
