July 2nd, 2005

White Band Day I was probably the most famous of GCAP’s white band days.  The involvement of celebrities such as Bono, Bob Geldof and Richard Branson, July 2nd, 2005 was a glittering extravaganza. The accompanying Live8 concerts, occurring in eight cities around the world also made the event the “flavour-of-the-month” for the media. Much less known is the fact that many campaigners in developing nations marched to G8 embassies and presented petitions to ambassadors and high commissioners demanding Debt Cancellation, Trade Justice as well as More and Better Aid.

As a result, The G8 came forth a little aid and cancelled the debt of 18 HIPC countries –  but with conditions. In general, organisers were disappointed. Kumi Naidoo, Chairperson of the International Facilitation Group of GCAP commented that: “the world roared but the leaders whispered.” This statement led to a split between GCAP and rock star, Bob Geldof who had publicly stated he was 70% satisfied with G8 outcomes.

At the time, Geldof had recently been co-opted by the British Shadow Prime Minister as his Advisor on Poverty. Despite adamant promises to remain politically “non-partisan” this move on Geldof’s part angered many activists who felt he had sold out to the “right-wing” Conservative government.