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UPDATE: A20 Quebec, roadshows, international news

[This is an update from the Direct Action Network and the Mobilization for Global Justice, via IMC-Updates.]

A20: Quebec, April 20 2001

April 18-22 The global corporate elite are headed to Quebec to discuss the FTAA, the Free Trade Area of the Americas: "think NAFTA on steroids." This trade pact extends the impact of NAFTA to the rest of Central and South America, in a hemispheric "race to the bottom." Working families, students, farmers, environmentalists, people of faith, animal rights activists and many others are mobilizing around the world to fight this encroachment of corporate control. http://www.a20.org

Info on the FTAA:

Citing the case of US-based waste disposal company Metalclad, which used NAFTA to sue a small Mexican town for prohibiting construction of a toxic waste processing plant, the city of Vancouver has unanimously passed a resolution requesting the Canadian government not sign the FTAA. http://www.canadianliberty.bc.ca

The northern border:

The Vermont Mobilization for Global Justice plans to coordinate crucial support on the Vermont side of the US-Canadian border for the FTAA mobilization. The coalition includes the Native Forest Network (NFN), Action for Community and Ecology in the Regions of Central America (ACERCA), the Vermont Action Network (VAN), UVM Student Political Awareness and Responsibility Coalition (SPARC), American Friends Service Committee - Vermont (AFSC), and others.
Info: Robert Dorman redorman@theofficenet.com

Community activists in Kingston ON are inviting all FTAA opponents to take part in a border action caravan to "fight against international capital every inch of the way." Contact Smash FTAA http://www.tao.ca/~kdawg/smashftaa.html, ON/NY regional listserve: send an email with "Smash FTAA" in the subject line to msilburn@kingston.net

The southern border:

The Mexico-US Mass Mobilization to Liberate the Border is planning an April 21 multinational day of protest in the San Diego/Tijuana region in support of worker's rights, immigrant rights, indigenous rights and the environment. 626-403-2530 borderactions@aol.com List Serve: send e-mail to border01-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.actionla.org/border.htm

How to get involved?

On the road:

In February and March 2001 the Turning Point Road Show will be touring the American southeast (FL, GA, SC, NC, VI, KT, AL, MS, TN). Focusing on corporate globalization as well as the secret negotiations currently to construct the FTAA. Info, or to schedule a stop in your town: solilawrence@yahoo.com

From February 12 to March 3, starting from the New England states and continuing south to the Washington DC area, CASA and CLAC are organizing teach-ins and events in an Anti-FTAA Tour and Caravan to the Northeast U$A. Host a stop in your area: clac@taktic.org or 514-526-8946.

Call To Action (CtA) Spring 2001 tour - Skills and issues workshops focusing on the FTAA and its poster-child: Citigroup. If your group is interested in tackling the prison industrial complex, third world debt, forest destruction and predatory lending as well as expanding your organizing skills, then bring us to your town. Contact: campaigns@calltoaction.org 503-804-9378 http://www.calltoaction.org

Through March and April, ending in Quebec City April 15-21, Rights Action will be traveling with community human rights and development activists from Honduras, Guatemala and Chiapas through the US and Canada, speaking in public educational forums. Info, or to schedule a stop: Rights Action, formerly Guatemala Partners, Grahame Russell 416-654-2074 info@rightsaction.org http://www.rightsaction.org

News you may have missed

In a moving victory, the Charas Community Center in New York City won its court battle against eviction as the steady gentrification pressures continue. The jury decided unanimously that the developer did not plan to comply with the community use restriction. Supporters packed the courtroom throughout the high profile trial.

Ecuadoran indigenous, labor and other organizations have launched a massive campaign to reject the IMF-imposed adjustment program in that country, encountering repression and mass arrests. Two people have died in confrontations with the police. About 4,000 Indians occupied the university in Quito for more than a week. The coalition has won many of their demands, including lower fuel prices and cheaper public transport fares, after threatening a national strike for February 7. Info: Soren Ambrose 202-544-9355 soren@igc.org http://www.indymedia.org/

Northern California / Situation Critical - In an inconceivable mission to defend 3,000 acres of magnificent old-growth douglas fir, Mattole Forest Defenders have conducted numerous lock downs and constructed blockades on logging roads. Since November 28 Maxxam/Pacific Lumber (PL) has been clearcutting what is the second largest intact stand of lowland old-growth Douglas Fir in California http://sf.indymedia.org/#mattole

More News and Events:

2/18 Hartford Connecticut FTAA all day workshop, sponsered by the Mexican Solidarity Network. Info: gianninik@hotmail.com 860-768-6380

3/1 Connecticut Shut Down Bradley International Airport in solidarity with HERE 217 local union members and cafeteria workers. joehill@riseup.net 860-246-2561

3/13 Washington DC Commemorating the 13th anniversary of the massacre of student activists in Burma, there will be a rally at the Burmese embassy in Washington DC to pressure the military regime to end all human rights abuses. 2300 S Street NW 7pm. Info: Jeremy Woodrum 202-547-5985 jeremy@freeburmacoalition.org Sign the on-line petition to ban the Burmese regime's membership in the United Nations - www.freeburmacoalition.org