MAKE POVERTY HISTORY - 2005

News Release

For immediate release: April 28, 2005

Vancouver church challenges all buildings to wear a big white band

Ottawa – “White Band Actions” will be launched this week in Vancouver as part of the Make Poverty History campaign. St. Andrew's Wesley Church will wrap itself in the first "big white band" and will challenge other buildings across the country to do the same.

The “White Band Actions” will roll out in communities across Canada throughout 2005. The kick-off is this Friday at St. Andrew's Wesley Church in Vancouver where rush-hour commuters will witness the first such high impact demonstration of support for the campaign goals in Canada. This action coincides with the U2 concerts happening in Vancouver this week. Rock icon, Bono, is a prominent leader of the Global Call to Action against Poverty of which the Canadian campaign is a part.

“We're the first public building in Canada to take such action and we're calling on others – churches, businesses, schools, hospitals, offices – to follow the same path,” said Reverend Gary Paterson of the St. Andrew's Wesley, “Our faith compels us to demonstrate our support in this high impact way for the campaign demands.”

Event: Vancouver wears a Big White Band
Date: Friday, April 29, 2005
TIME: 3:00 pm, PST
LOCATION: St. Andrew's Wesley Church, Burrard @ Nelson

Reverend Gary Paterson of St. Andrew's Wesley and spokespersons of the Make Poverty History campaign will be on site, along with the local volunteers who engineered the Big White Band.

Contact: media@makepovertyhistory.ca
Telephone: (613) 241-7007 ext. 311