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News :: Globalization |
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Greetings From WTO Protests And Alternative Economic Forums In Cancun! |
Current rating: 0 |
by Meridith Kruse
Email: meridithkruse (nospam) riseup.net (unverified!) |
08 Sep 2003
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I just arrived in Cancun last night and the contrasts between the rich and poor here were immediate and stark. This morning, while WTO officials met in barricaded plush hotels campesinos and indigenous rights groups met in an open gym and under outdoor tents...with over six hours of singing, chanting, flag waving and powerful speeches small farmers from around the world demanded an end to the WTO, World Bank, and neo- liberal economics. In contrasts they shouted, "Globalize the Struggle, Globalize the Hope", "The Country Side Cannot Take Anymore!" |
I wonder if you all are getting any news of what is happening down here in Cancun? What, if anything, are the newspapers reporting? I am sure you are hearing very little of the amazing organizing, popular forums, and alternative proposals being put forth by indigenous groups, campesino organizations, women's groups and unions...If anything you are probably hearing about the threat of violence, or promises for success by WTO trade representatives...
The headlines of a local paper here today said Al Queda is suspected of planning an incident soon in Cancun...hah!
If anything I reccomend checking the IMC sites and turning to the alternative press, there is a swell of resistance here, some of the main issues are around Agriculture, and the unfair "dumping" of subsidized US corn into the Mexican Market, plus controversial discussions over intellectual property rights (TRIPS), investment, patents, and more.
While the offical WTO meetings are held behind closed doors there are a host of alternative economic forums occuring around the city...these are free and open to the public...
One such forum was "Via Campesina" which took place all morning in a open gym and under an outdoor tent. Ironically this gathering of small farmers from around the world took place in the shadow of a towering Wal-Mart store connected to a Sams Club complex. While campesinos spoke of the inability of the countryside to take anymore oppression tourists whisked by to shop in airconditioned mega stores.
Those attending "Via Campesina" came from throughout Mexico, Central America, South America, South Africa, Korea, Thailand, Europe, Asia, Canada and the United States. Their message was clear, in contrast to corporate driven economic globalization, we must globalize the struggle for environmental justice, food security, health, education, and human rights. We must globalize hope.
Direct comments were directed to George Bush, telling him to stop looking for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq because the weaspons of destruction can be found in his own house...they are the weapons of the FTAA, WTO, and Plan Puebla Panama...these are the weapons wreaking economic devastation and suffering on the world.
Other alternative economic forums throughout the week are focusing on Biodiversity, Fishing, an International Women´s Forum, Fair Trade, Solidarity with Cuba, Alternatives to FTAA, PPP, WTO, and CAFTA, and much much more...
Students are supposed to be arriving from Mexico City, but no one knows if they will be allowed through by security forces. Between 5,00-10,000 security forces are in town, this includes local police plus the Mexican Army... organizers say they expect around 15,000 protestors.
Major marches are to take place on the 10th, when campesinos plan to march to the WTO meeting site, and another demo is planned when-if the students from Mexico arrive.
There is an IMC office set up here as well as a convergence center and much creative organizing for direct action is happening out of these sites. So we will see...
Although the language of global economics may be intimidating or difficult to understand do not let this deter you from becoming involved...we can see through the jargon expoused by those in power...saying the free trade equals freedom is a farce, and the effects of NAFTA on those living in Mexico, the US, and Canada has made it clear that neo liberal economics does nothing to help the poor...
Those inside the WTO meetings are deciding how to make the world over in their image, to benefit a very few and the expense of the majority, while destroying the environment in the process. This really affects us all, and their ideas do not have to be accepted. Plenty of alternatives are being proposed from the grassroots, we just do not hear about them! How many people in the US know there is a huge movement throught Latin America against these policies?
As parting words I urge us all to keep this week of WTO protests and alternative forums in perspective...the WTO is only one piece of a larger oppressive structure that includes Plan Puebla Panama, CAFTA, the World Bank, and Interamerican Development Bank, and all the bilateral trade agreements the US is making country by country encroaches on the rights of people to decide their future and structure their lives in a just way...
Best wishes to everyone, I hope you are all able to access accurate coverage about what is going on in Cancun this weekend, if not, call your media outlets and ask why not! |
Related stories on this site:
Protectionism Trumps Free Trade At The WTO
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Re: Greetings From WTO Protests And Alternative Economic Forums In Cancun! |
by bsudrillard
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
08 Sep 2003
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please let us know how you got through airport security, questions, etc... which questions did they ask? what did you say? and any other helpful info is appreciated. |
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Re: Greetings From WTO Protests And Alternative Economic Forums In Cancun! |
by Peter Miller
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
09 Sep 2003
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We're getting virtually nothing about this WTO meeting, Meridith. When we do see an article, it has no content, written for the business pages. It's another reminder that reporters won't take the time to understand the issues unless we demand that they do.
Please tell us more, and include pictures if you can. |
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Re: Greetings From WTO Protests And Alternative Economic Forums In Cancun! |
by gramps
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
09 Sep 2003
Modified: 10:53:20 AM |
M.M dont answer the first comment in print it might be a trick by you know who
gw |
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Re: Greetings From WTO Protests And Alternative Economic Forums In Cancun! |
by Radh Achuthan
rachuthan (nospam) southampton.liu.edu (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
09 Sep 2003
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9/9/02
Globalization is to mean "Meet(ing) the Minimum Needs of All" through regional cooperative and market economies in a PEOPLE first context.
Visit; www.gtrc911.org
M. Radh Achuthan |
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Re: Greetings From WTO Protests And Alternative Economic Forums In Cancun! |
by Jack Ryan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: -3
09 Sep 2003
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Meridith,
Your description of the accommodations makes me glad I am wealthy. I wonder why everyone does not strive for a better way of life. You mentioned "flag waving". I thought you guys hated that.
Could you please send some pictures from the topless beaches?
Thanks,
Jack |
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Re: Greetings From WTO Protests And Alternative Economic Forums In Cancun! |
by anon
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
09 Sep 2003
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Thanks so much for your report, Meridith! You're doing the entire world a service to be there and tell us about it. |
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Re: Greetings From WTO Protests And Alternative Economic Forums In Cancun! |
by Jack Ryan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
09 Sep 2003
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Please disregard my prior messages since I now have finally realized the error of my ways. I am turning over a new leaf and hope to remain on track. I may slip back into my sick days of right wing thinking..but just consider this a monmentary failure. I apologize to all I have so often offended and hope to make amends for my often cruel remarks. Please forgive. I would appreciate any information where I might donate to the anti war cause and efforts of those trying to bring justice to the world. please help me. I was lost but now I see the light. I am willing to share my vast wealth..just tell me where to send the checks.
In peace and love,
your friend Jack Ryan |
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Re: Greetings From WTO Protests And Alternative Economic Forums In Cancun! |
by Jack Ryan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: -2
17 Sep 2003
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It would appear that Anon is up to his old tricks again as he consistently strives to be more like me. It is good to have goals anon, just use your own when you do it. Actually, Anon has so many self contained personalities, that he can actually conduct the worlds first conference call in his own head.
In anycase, I am as patriotic as ever and I continue to believe that this is the best country and polictical system the world has ever known.
Jack |
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Re: Greetings From WTO Protests And Alternative Economic Forums In Cancun! |
by Illinois Citizen
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
21 Dec 2003
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Hello Jack Ryan,
Are you the same Jack Ryan who is the Illinois Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate? |
