The international march for health freedom

On Sunday, 15 June 2003, join the hundreds of thousands of people throughout Europe who will be marching in support of health freedom. Protesters in France, Sweden, Ireland and other EU countries will be holding similar protests and marches.

The march
Participants here in the UK will gather at the north end of Hyde Park (Marble Arch end, near Speakers Corner) at 11 am. The march will set off at noon from North Carriage Drive and proceed down Park Lane, turn left into Piccadilly, continue on into Haymarket and arrive at Trafalgar Square (see map). There may be a band to accompany the marchers. At Trafalgar Square, Lynne McTaggart, Frank Wiewel of People Against Cancer from the US and Gillian McKeith will be among those speaking for health freedom.

Think about preparing a banner (such as ‘Patrick’s patients for health freedom’ or ‘Chelmsford loves vitamins’) or bring along something that makes a lot of noise. Consider coming in fancy dress – say, as a vitamin pill (the more colourful, the more likely we are to get press coverage). People involved in other charities such as antifluoride groups, who will be affected by the directives (the Food Supplements Directive allows sodium fluoride on its positive list of ingredients), may also march with us.

Stewards
All protest marches require people to act as stewards to help shepherd participants through the march, ensuring that they follow the correct route, or to assist those who need help to find it (there will be numerous first-aid stations along our route).

We still need volunteers to help as stewards on the day of the march. These volunteers need to be at Speakers Corner by 10.30 am on the day. If you would like to be a steward, send your address, telephone number and e-mail address to our HFM coordinator Louise Lowrie at office@healthfreedommovement.com, or call 0870 990 9976.

Transport
If you run a clinic or health shop, please help us by enlisting the people who visit your clinic or shop, and consider hiring transportation (such as a coach) to travel to London for the day.

Parking facilities for coaches will be available near the dropping-off point in Hyde Park, and coach firms will need to be responsible for finding these facilities. We will provide you with full details nearer the date of the march. Please e-mail Louise if you can provide transportation for people in your area or if you’re prepared to organise a coach.

Our website (www.healthfreedommovement.com) has a summary of coach transport. Please contact the person in your region to arrange for places on the coach. Alternatively, organise a coach yourself and contact us at office@healthfreedommovement.com or phone 0870 990 9976.

It is vital that you, and everyone you know who cares about health freedom, march with us on June 15. Brussels and the British government will only respond if they see an overwhelming public protest.