Proposal: international day of action aimed at the heart of the global economy
savage
A PROPOSAL FOR: A DAY OF PROTEST, ACTION AND CARNIVAL IN FINANCIAL
CENTERS ACROSS THE GLOBE ON 18th JUNE 1999.
...WHEREVER THERE IS OPPRESSION THERE IS RESISTANCE...
A proposal has been made by various groups and movements of activists
from Great Britain to hold an international day of action aimed at the
heart of the global economy: the financial centers, banking districts
and multinational corporation power bases. The suggested date is the
18th June 1999. Movements involved include Reclaim The Streets (RTS, a
popular movement seeking the liberation of cities and public spaces
using direct action, and now Western European Convenors of People's
Global Action Against 'Free' Trade and the World Trade Organization) and
London Greenpeace (a group independent of Greenpeace International,
recently involved in a large successful battle with McDonald's). This
proposal is made in the spirit of strengthening our international
networks and follows from the success of co-ordinated global action
during May 16-20th 1998. These days saw actions, protests and
demonstrations on all continents, for example over 30 'Reclaim The
Streets parties' in over 20 countries - a combination of illegal
carnival, protest and action catalysed by RTS in London. In Brasilia
50,000 unemployed and landless peasants were on the streets, while in
Hyderabad, India, 200,000 were protesting. These events coincided with
the 'G8' meeting in Birmingham, Great Britain, and the third ministerial
meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland. The
'G8' consists of the leaders of the eight most industrialized countries
and exists solely to promote economic globalization, 'free' trade and
corporate dominance.
Next year between the 18th-20th June the 'G8' will meet in Koln,
Germany. The idea is to take action around the globe to coincide with
this meeting. This also links with the proposed tour of Indian
farmers/activists in Europe to campaign against the World Trade
Organisation and multinational corporations. The proposal is to
encourage as many movements and groups as possible to organize their own
autonomous protests or actions, on the same day (June 18th), in the same
geographical locations (financial/corporate/banking/business districts)
around the world. Events could take place at relevant sites, e.g.
multinational company offices, local banks, stock exchanges. Each event
would be organized autonomously and co-ordinated in each city or
financial district by a range of movements and groups. It is hoped that
a whole range of different groups will take part, including workers,
peasants, indigenous peoples, women, students, the landless,
environmentalists, unwaged/unemployed and others... Everyone who
recognizes that the global capitalist system, based on the exploitation
of people and the planet for the profit of a few, is at the root of our
social and ecological struggles.
The proposal has already been discussed by movements and groups on all
continents, for example the Karnataka State Farmers (KRSS, India), the
Rainbow Keepers (ecologists from ex-USSR states), Processo de
Communidades Negras (Colombian Black communities movements), Friends of
the Earth, Uruguay (Environmentalists), CTERA (Argentinean Teachers
Union), COMUTRAS (textile worker's union, El Salvador), peasant
movements in Mozambique and many more. Plans are already well advanced
in London, and Koln, Germany. Ideas are flowing and enthusiasm is
growing. We would very much like to hear what you think. There is an
e-mail discussion list. To subscribe, send an e-mail to
list...@gn.apc.org with the following request:
subscribe J18DISCUSSION your e-mail address
then messages sent to J18DIS...@gn.apc.org will automatically go to
other interested groups around the world to facilitate wider discussion
of this proposal. Or write to 'June 18th', PO BOX 9656, London, N4 4JY,
Great Britain.
OUR RESISTANCE WILL BE AS TRANSNATIONAL AS CAPITAL!
For more information on People's Global Action visit http://www.agp.org
For more information on Reclaim The Streets visit http://www.gn.apc.org/rts/
For more information on London Greenpeace / McLibel visit http://www.mcspotlight.org
PLEASE PASS THIS PROPOSAL ON TO OTHERS!!!