Invite to report back meeting in Windsor from a journalist who attended the demonstrations in Miami.
From the OAS Days of Action in Windsor to the FTAA Days of Action in Miami
We Say: No To The FTAA! No To The Criminalization of Dissent!
From November 18 - 21 the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the Free Trade Area of the Americas took place in Miami Florida. The FTAA was set to be put in place by 2005 and would create a free trade zone across the Americas in an attempt by U.S. and Canadian monopolies to open markets and impose U.S.- style democracy on the countries of the Americas and undermine their sovereignty.
Thousands of youth, workers, activists, retirees and many others from across the United States and other parts of the Americas converged on Miami in order to stop the FTAA. 6000 police and other security forces were organized to be on hand in an attempt to intimidate and repress the demonstrations which took place. Police carried out an all out assault on the main demonstration as well as pre-emptive arrests throughout the week leading up to and after the actions. 250 people were arrested and many still remain in jail. In some cases national minority activsts and others are being physically attacked and in some cases tortured in jail. Despite all the intimidation and attacks and youth and workers stood firm and resisted all attempts to divide their ranks and humiliate them.
The chief of police for Miami has declared that the actions of police were a model for homeland security in the United States. At a time when the U.S. administration has a lot to say about "undemocratic" governments around the world, it is very significant that those in the U.S. opposing their governments neo-liberal agenda are being attacked so brutaly.
A report back meeting is being organized in Windsor this Thursday at 7:30 pm at 811 Janette Ave where a journalist for The Marxist-Leninist Daily and recent independent candidate in the Provincial Elections in Windsor West, Enver Villamizar who participated in the actions will present photos and a general overview of what took place. Enver also attended last weekends actions to shut down the School of the Americas in Fort Benning Georgia, also known as the School of the Assassins, photos will also be presented on this important event aimed at shutting down terrorist training bases in the United States.
Discussion will follow on the significance of the actions and the resulting stand still with the FTAA.
All those concerned about the fate of the FTAA and the attacks on rights in our hemisphere are encouraged to attend and find out more about an event being covered up by the monopoly controlled media.
Where: 811 Janette Ave. Windsor Ontario
When: Thursday November 27, 7:30 pm
www.cpcml.ca/tmld/D33218.htm#1
miami/soa reports | ftaa miami 2003 | ftaa | oas windsor (June 2000) | www.agp.org