Democracy in Europe Movement (DiEM25) comes to Britain
Over 1000 people will gather on Saturday at what campaigners claim will be the ‘biggest pro-EU rally of the referendum campaign’.
With just one month to go until the Referendum campaign group Another Europe is Possible say that they’ve received a ‘surge in support’ for their nationwide tour.
The event in London will see speeches from Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and the former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis.
The event forms part of the Democracy in Europe Movement (DiEM25), initiated by Varoufakis and Lucas (among many other European activists, politicians and artists) in Berlin last February. The pan-European campaign aims to build a cross-continental movement to democratise the EU and make it accountable to citizens. At the event on Saturday leading politicians and members of the public will sign the ‘London Declaration’ committing them to campaign for a more democratic European Union. The event will specifically focus on the issue of sovereignty.
Yanis Varoufakis, initiator of DiEM25, said:
“Britain needs to reclaim its democracy, protect its weakest citizens, and safeguard its environment. And the only way to do this is to stay in the EU and, together with millions of Europeans from across the continent, fight to democratise, civilise and humanise it. DiEM25 refuses to surrender to the authoritarianism of Brussels but, with equal determination, refuses to retreat into the bosom of the nation state.”
“On 28th May we shall present the radical case for remaining in the EU as a first step toward reclaiming democratic sovereignty by confronting authoritarianism, irrationality and inhumanity at a continental scale.”
Ahead of the event Lucas, a founding supporter of Another Europe is Possible and DiEM, said:
“It’s brilliant to see so many people signing up to these events. With the main thrust of the campaign so centred on establishment figures I’m not surprised to learn that people are flocking to hear from alternative voices.”
“I’m looking forward to joining forces with Labour, the trade unions and people from across the progressive movement in campaigning for Britain to remain part of the EU. We know that the EU isn’t perfect – but we’re committed to working across borders to make it better.”
“For progressives the facts are clear: Britain is fairer, safer and greener as a member of the European Union.”
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