Field Guide to the FTAA Protest in Quebec City
Version: March 16, 2001
http://www.soaw-ne.org/FTAAGuide.html
If you want to join us in Quebec City from April 20 to 22 (2001) to protest FTAA, this guide is for you. We suggest that you print it and bring it with you to Quebec City. Make sure to have the latest version of this guide as it will evolve over time. We also suggest that you print the guide “Guess What We've Got Rights!” available at http://www.tao.ca/~cobp/guess-what.html.
INDEX
1) Disclaimer
2) Introduction
3) The Police Operation
4) The Activist Operation
5) Languages in Quebec City
6) Housing
7) Maps
8) Getting to Quebec City
9) Driving in the Province of Quebec
10) Food
11) Border Crossing
12) Border Actions
Second Pageof Field Guide (13-26)
13) Teach-ins on FTAA
14) E-mail Lists
15) Direct Actions
16) Events
17) Legal Information
18) Weather
19) Dealing with Journalists
20) Independent Media Center
21) Health Issues
22) Exchange Rates
23) Taxes
24) Other Practical Information
25) Electronic Mail
26) Tourist Information
1) Disclaimer
This guide is intended to people who want to peacefully oppose free trade at the Summit of the Americas and is in no way an incitement to commit illegal acts. Even in legal protests, innocent people have suffered from pepper spray and tear gas and have been put in jail. This guide informs people on how to organize, on their rights and how to protect themselves from harm.
2) Introduction
Next April 20-22, 2001, the Summit of the Americas meeting will be taking place in Quebec City (Canada). The previous two Summits were held in Miami (1994) and Santiago (1998). The Summit brings together all the 34 leaders of North, South and Central America, as well as the Caribbean (except Cuba). The goal of the Summit is to talk about issues like hemispheric integration and migration, security and terrorism, democracy and human rights, as well as the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) agreement. The FTAA is an extension of the existing free trade agreement (NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement) to the hemisphere. The proposed deadline to sign and implement the FTAA is 2005 but it could happen earlier. According to the official propaganda, the goals of the FTAA are to strengthen democracy, promote prosperity, eradicate poverty, and protect the environment.
These are vicious lies! If they want democracy, why are they negotiating in secrecy? Prosperity for who? Why have average wages decreased in Mexico by 23% since the application of NAFTA? They plan to model FTAA on NAFTA and the WTO. Both organizations allow corporations to sue a government for protecting its environment. They must be opposed!
For more information on the FTAA visit the following web sites:
THE OFFICIAL PROPAGANDA:
Canadian Government
http://www.americascanada.org,
http://www.holaquebec.ca
Quebec Government
http://www.quebecameriques.com
US Government
http://www.ustr.gov/regions/whemisphere/ftaa.shtml
The Official Web Site of the FTAA
http://www.ftaa-alca.org/ALCA_E.ASP
MORE PROGRESSIVE INFORMATION:
Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch
http://www.tradewatch.org/FTAA/factsheet.htm
Coalition to Shutdown OAS/FTAA
http://www.tao.ca/~stopftaa/info.htm
Alternatives for the Americas
http://www.web.net/comfront/alts4americas/eng/eng.html
FTAA Intro Kit from Common Frontiers
http://www.web.net/comfront/freekit.htm
A couple of reports on aspects of FTAA
http://www.web.net/comfront/cf_docs.htm
Stop FTAA
http://www.stopftaa.org
A20
http://www.a20.org
Necessary Dissent
www.geocities.com/necessarydissent/index.htm
3) The Police Operation
The police forces involved for this event represent the biggest security operation in the history of Canada (Democracy, they say? Yeah, right!). The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS), the provincial police: Surete du Quebec (SQ), the municipal police of Quebec City and Ste-Foy (a suburb) are working on this operation (Le Soleil, November 2, 2000).
- The police plan to create a closed area to 'protect' the FTAA meeting from protesters. This area will include the main hotels and the conference center. They will install a 3,8 km (2.4 miles) long fence to surround this 4 squared km area (see Figure 1). This will be a Frost fence with a concrete base (New Jersey). It will be about 10-12 feet high, with reinforced wires and poles of 2.25 inches in diameters (see Figure 2 (soon to be posted); Le Soleil, November 9, 2000). This is a technique similar to that used at the Windsor meeting in 2000. As some residents are opposed to this “wall of shame,” the actual area may be smaller than the police initially said. The police have already started getting the material for the fence.
- Not content with this huge security area, the authorities are planning to create a buffer zone around the fence. It will be forbidden to even approach the fence.
-The authorities have demanded that the 7,500 residents of the area register themselves in order to get a pass allowing them to enter the security area during the summit (Le Soleil, January 10, 2001). A thousand workers will also require a pass. Most residents have complied so far (Le Soleil, January 27, 2001). Residents will not be allowed to have visitors during that period.
- There will be between 5,000 and 8,000 police officers, including about 800 anti-riot police officers in $5,000 protective suits (Le Soleil, October 29, 2000; Le Soleil, November 9, 2001).
- The RCMP has already rented all the available apartments inside the area both to prevent 'terrorists' from staying inside the security area before and during the summit and also to house their officers (Le Soleil, November 9, 2001).
- The authorities plan to compensate the businesses inside the security area for their lack of customers during the FTAA meeting.
- According to the official propaganda of the Summit, there between 6,000 and 9,000 people are expected at the FTAA meeting (3000 delegates, 3000 journalists and technicians, 3000 escorts, 700 summit employees and volunteers).
- The authorities will empty 600 cells in the nearby Orsainville prison (30 min. north of Quebec City) in order to jail the protesters (Le Soleil, November 19, 2000). 160 Orsainville prisoners will be sent to Port-Cartier prison (8 hours from Quebec City) at the beginning of April. Hospitals will also be emptied (before the summit). On November 18 2001, Dr. Joanne Russow the leader of the Green Party of Canada has been arrested for taking pictures of the Orsainville prison where she was to protest the creation of a 'concentration camp' for protesters. She was then released without accusations (Le Soleil, November 19, 2000).
- About 9,000 of the 10,500 government employees working in the security area will have a paid holiday on Friday April 20th (Le Soleil, February 2, 2001). The cost of the security operation could reach 70 million Canadian dollars (Le Soleil, February 2, 2001).
- A few schools will be closed around the security area (Le Soleil, February 8, 2001).
- The Summit of the Americas has reserved most hotel rooms around Quebec City. In certain cases they even cancelled the reservations made and paid by unions (Le Soleil, January 20, 2001).
- It could be disinformation, but the mainstream newspaper Le Soleil (December 7, 2000) reported that cell phones may be unusable during the meeting because the communication system will probably be overwhelmed. If you have a cell phone, bring it anyway but have a back up plan.
- Three protesters were arrested in Quebec City for distributing leaflets. They were released some time later without accusations (Le Soleil, February 5, 2001).
- The official site for the security operation is: http://www.securitesommet.ca/pages/menu_e.html
4) The Activist Operation
- If you are interested to go to Quebec City to oppose the FTAA, you should (1) join an activist group near you (to provide you with transportation, housing, information, and so on); (2) find out which group you should meet in Quebec City at the protest (i.e., see 4.1-4.2 below); and (3) decide which action you want to participate in.
- Many organizations are opposed to the FTAA. Note that given the size of the police operation, none of the following groups will try to shut down the FTAA meeting, but rather to make the opposition felt. The main ones are the following:
4.1) Quebec City
- Operation Quebec Printemps 2001 (OQP 2001) = Operation Quebec Spring 2001 (OQP is pronounced O Q Pay or like 'occupé' which means occupied) http://www.oqp2001.org/
Phone: (418) 521-4099
This is a coalition of about 30 groups. Although some of the constituent organizations are more moderate than CASA/CLAC, the group position is that the FTAA cannot be reformed simply by including labor and environmental clauses. Decisions at OQP 2001 are generally made by the group representatives, rather than during assemblies open to all. OQP 2001 has signed a commitment to disavow its members who may commit property destruction. They are planning direct actions as well as participating in the legal protest. OQP 2001 is organizing to provide housing (with CASA/CLAC) and food.
- Comite d'Accueil du Sommet des Ameriques (CASA) = Summit of the Americas Welcoming Committee
E-mail: la_casa2001
hotmail.com
CASA works in close collaboration with CLAC (see below in 4.2).
This is an anarchist group which is anti-capitalist, anti-patriarchy, anti-hierarchy, non-compromising and for autonomy and for the diversity of tactics. CASA is a group of individuals who are generally more radical than OQP 2001. his group does not believe that the FTAA can be reformed simply by including labor and environmental clauses. Decisions at CASA are generally made during general assemblies open to all. In order to be in solidarity with other groups (e.g., the Zapatistas), CASA has refused to sign a commitment to disavow its members who may commit property destruction during the protest. However, it does not mean that they are for property destruction. They want to disrupt the Summit of the Americas as much as possible. They are mainly planning direct actions.
- Comite Populaire St-Jean-Baptiste (ComPop)
Address : 490 St-Jean, Quebec (Quebec)
Phone : (418) 522-0454, Fax: (418) 522-0959
E-mail: compopqc.aira.com
The ComPop is a working class neighborhood organization. It means that you cannot really join this organization unless you move there, but they will be happy to talk about FTAA and they often offer their space for meetings. It is within the Quebec security area. The ComPop is very active in protesting the security area and the FTAA. The ComPop is a member of OQP 2001.
4.2) Montreal
- SalAMI (Sal Accord Mulitilateral sur les Investissement = Dirty friend (ami = friend) = Dirty MAI = Dirty Multilateral Agreement on Investments) http://www.alternatives-action.org/salami/
E-mail : salamicolba.net
Phone: (514) 524-8088
This is a group of individuals who are committed to nonviolent direct actions. They reach out to individuals as well as to union organizations. SalAMI has put a lot of energy into forming what is called a Convergence Table (TAB) (see 4.3 below), which has brought together unions, student organizations, NGO's, and religious groups who oppose the Summit of the Americas. They are for the diversity of tactics up to a certain limit. For example, they think that protesters should follow strict rules especially when they do direct actions (e.g., not disguise their identity, not wear a gas mask, not run, refrain from using insults, have peacekeepers). They have signed a commitment to disavow their members who may commit property destruction at the protest. Their tactics aim at making their message more acceptable to less radical people. However, critics say that imposing strict guidelines for protesting is undemocratic and leads to a division with activists who want more diverse tactics (e.g., CLAC). Some have been critical of SalAMI, for not being truly democratic, but instead led by a few key individuals. Some of the people in CLAC once organized with SalAMI but have left.
- CLAC (Convergence des Luttes Anti-Capitalistes = Convergence of Anti-Capitalist Stuggles)
http://www.quebec2001.net/
Phone : 514-409-2049, 514-526-8946
This group work closely with CASA (see 4.1 above). This is an anarchist group which is anti-capitalist, anti-patriarchy, anti-hierarchy, non-compromising and for autonomy and for the diversity of tactics. CLAC is a group of individuals who are generally more radical than OQP 2001. This group does not believe tha t the FTAA can be reformed simply by including labor and environmental clauses. Decisions at CLAC are generally made during general assemblies open to all. In order to be in solidarity with other groups (e.g., the Zapatistas), CLAC has refused to sign a commitment to disavow its members who may commit property destruction during the protest. However, it does not mean that they are FOR property destruction. They want to perturb the Summit of the Americas as much as possible. They are not opposed to protesters disguising their identity. They are mainly planning direct actions. However, critics (OQP 2001 and SalAMI) say that their tactics may give all the protesters a bad reputation in the press and, therefore, infringe the growth of the pro-democratic anti-corporate movement.
- GOMM (Groupe Oppose a la Mondialisation des Marches = Group Opposed to Market Globalization)
http://www.lagauche.com/gauche/lghebdo/2000/2000-48-10.html (in French only)
http://www.lagauche.com/gauche/lghebdo/2000/2000-48-08.html (in French only)
This is a coalition of several Montreal student associations, the International Workers of the World Montreal, a socialist pro-independence provincial party (Partie de la Democratie Socialiste – PDS) and the Canadian Union of Public
Employees.
- FTAA-Alert McGill & Concordia
FTAA-Alert McGill: http://www.actionsite.org
These are based out of the two English speaking universities in Montreal, although they contain elder community members. They are not aligned with either CLAC or SalAMI. FTAA-Concordia is working up a plan to build a campaign to put the FTAA to a referendum before Canada could sign on.
4.3) Province of Quebec:
- RQIC (Reseau Quebecois sur l'Integration Continentale = Quebec Network on Hemispheric Integration)
http://www.unites.uqam.ca/gric/rqic/index_rqic.htm
http://www.alternatives.ca/rqic/
E-mail: rqicalternatives.ca
This is a coalition of the major unions of the Province of Quebec. This includes the CNTU (Council of National Trade Unions; CSN in French) and the QFL (Quebec Federation of Labour; FTQ in French). The QFL groups unions affiliated to the AFL-CIO and/or the CLC (Canadian Labour Congress), while the CNTU groups exclusively Quebec unions. They want to reform the FTAA by adding protection for the environment and for workers. They organize a legal protest and an alternative summit called: The People's Summit of the Americas. RQIC is the Quebec member of the Hemispheric Social Alliance (see 4.6 below).
- Table of Convergence (TAB)
This is a broad coalition of groups who have endorsed the idea of nonviolent direct action. This is an initiative of SalAMI. This coalition allows people to synchronize their actions. It includes SalAMI, OQP 2001, and GOMM. RQIC is there as observer. RQIC collaborates with Common Frontiers and the Hemispheric Social Alliance. CASA and CLAC had first been included but their refusal to disavow people who would do property destruction lead to their exclusion from the TAB.
- Canadian Federation of Students-Quebec
This is mostly Montreal English speaking based and has been effective in mobilizing students and youths for previous mass demonstrations. http://www.cfs-fcee.ca/
4.4) English Canada
- Common Frontiers
http://www.web.net/comfront/
This is an alliance of the biggest unions in Canada and of some community groups. They want to reform the FTAA by adding protection for the environment and for workers. Their position is similar to that of RQIC. RQIC and Common Frontiers are the Canadian members of the Hemispheric Social Alliance (see 4.6 below). Their member organizations are the following:
Canadian Auto Workers
http://www.caw.ca
Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives
http://www.policyalternatives.ca
Canadian Labour Congress
http://www.clc-ctc.ca
The Center of Concern Women's Project
http://www.coc.org/womenspro.htm
Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
http://www.cep.ca/en
Council of Canadians
http://www.canadians.org
Environmental Mining Council of British Columbia
http://www.miningwatch.org/emcbc
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
http://www.iatp.org/iatp
International Centre for Rights and Democratic Development
http://www.ichrdd.ca
Jubilee Campaign-Canada
http://www.web.net/~jubilee/
Mining Watch Canada
http://www.miningwatch.ca
United Steelworkers of America-Canada
http://www.uswa.ca
- The Queen's Coalition Against Corporate Globalization (QCACG)
http://www.web.net/~opirgkin/qcacg/main.html
QCACG is a gathering of individuals from both the Queen's University and Kingston communities (Ontario). QCACG will strive to give these communities the opportunity to express their resistance to corporate-based globalization.
4.5) United States
- Alliance for Responsible Trade (ART)
http://www.art-us.org/
This is an organization devoted to trade in the US. This is the US member of the Hemispheric Social Alliance (see F below).
- Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch
http://www.tradewatch.org/FTAA/ftaahome.html
Global Trade Watch is a division of the organization Public Citizen. This division is devoted to trade.
- New England Global Action Network (NEGAN) http://www.bostonglobalaction.org/negan.html
This is a network of activist networks. For example, it includes: Boston Global Action Network (BGAN) http://www.bostonglobalaction.org, Connecticut Global Action Network (CGAN) http://cgan.netfirms.com/index2.html, Vermont Action Network (VAN), and so on.
- North East Coalition for Global Justice Coalition of major unions in the North East
- ACERCA
http://www.acerca.org
PO Box 57, Burlington, VT 05402, 802-863-0571; E-mail: acercasover.net
- Alliance for Global Justice
http://www.afgj.org
This is an organization devoted to changing trade and environmental policies.
- Global Exchange
http://www.globalexchange.org/
- Jobs with Justice
http://www.jwj.org/corepage.htm
- Mexico Solidarity Network
http://www.mexicosolidarity.org
- Sierra Club
http://www.sierraclub.org/trade/
-School of the Americas Watch/Northeast (SOA Watch/NE)
http://www.soaw-ne.org/
- Student Alliance to Reform Corporations (STARC)
http://www.corpreform.org/
Other American Organizations Opposed to the FTAA:
AFL-CIO
American Friends Service Committee
Campaign for Labor Rights
Center of Concern
Committee for New Priorities
Development GAP
Friends of the Earth - U.S.
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Institute for Policy Studies, Global Economy Project
International Labor Rights Fund
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Mexico Solidarity Network
Preamble Center
Public Services International, Inter-American Regional Office
Resource Center of the Americas
Rural Coalition/Coalición Rural
School of the Americas Watch
Tennessee Industrial Renewal Network
Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America
United Methodist Women's Office for Economic Justice
Women of Color Resource Center
Women's EDGE
4.6) Hemisphere
- Hemispheric Social Alliance
www.art-us.org/hsa.html
This is an international coalition of the major unions and NGOs opposed to FTAA in the western hemisphere. They are organizing the People's Summit of the Americas in collaboration with RQIC and Common Frontiers.
5) Language in Quebec City
There are 168,000 people living within the limits of Quebec City and some 670,000 people living in the Greater Quebec City area. 97% of them are French speaking. The population is mostly white but there is a growing Asian population (mostly from Vietnam and China) as well as African immigrants. Being the capital of the province, there are many civil servants in Quebec City. The other important industry is tourism (4 million visitors per year), therefore most employees in the tourist industry (customs, restaurants, hotels, shops, museums) speak English. More people are bilingual in the Province of Quebec than in any other province in Canada. However, outside the tourist industry, people in Quebec are not necessarily very fluent in English and (like people in other countries) they prefer to be addressed in their own language, that is, in French. In Quebec City, most English speakers are tourists (as opposed to Montreal) and therefore the English language has a certain exotic flavor. Most residents will be pleased to practice their English with you. Quebec activists are especially eager to meet activists from outside the province. However, having survived assimilation through more than 240 years of English colonialism and domination, SOME Quebecois are sensitive to being addressed in English.
What should you do if you don't speak French? You don't have to speak French, you just have to show that you are TRYING to speak French. In order to show that you are trying to speak French, there are two things that you can do: (1) If you bring signs and leaflets to Quebec City and if you address them to the local population of Quebec City, they should be in French (without errors) (Click here translater777yahoo.com for a free translation of a sign or banner from English to French). If you address your signs and flyers to the international press and the other activists, they can be in English but preferably bilingual or multilingual. (2) You should learn a few words of French and the first thing that you say to someone you don't know should be in French. If you have only 4 words of French to learn, they should be: 'Bonjour! Parlez-vous anglais?' which means 'Hi! Do you speak English?'). The following words are the most important:
bonjour / hi
Parlez-vous anglais? / Do you speak English?
salut / hi and bye (more colloquial)
Excusez-moi / I am sorry.
Je ne comprends pas. / I don't understand.
Je m'appele Pierre. / My name is Pierre.
Quel est votre nom? / What is your name?
Monsieur / Mr.
Madame / Ms.
s'il vous plaît / please
merci / thanks
oui / yes
non /no
toilettes / restrooms
_____________________________
autoroute /highway
nord / north
sud / south
est / east
ouest / west
rue / street
avenue / avenue
pont / bridge
gaz (essence) / gas
_____________________________
ZLEA / FTAA
sommet / summit
peuple / people
Je veux un avocat. / I want a lawyer.
telephoner / to phone
manger / to eat
boire / to drink
depanneur convenience / store
nourriture / food
autobus / bus
taxi / taxi
prison / prison
police / police
hotel / hotel
restaurant / restaurant
You can find more relevant vocabulary on the following web site: http://www.oqp2001.org (click on “French for Activists”). For many French speaking Quebecois, to address them with a few words of French is a courtesy that will make them feel respected and they will probably return the courtesy by answering in English. Then, you should discover what most visitors find, that is, that Quebecois are very hospitable and they want you to like their city.
6) Housing
- As the police reserved every hotel in town, housing is a big problem. If you have family or friends in the Quebec area (within 100 km), your best bet is to stay there.
- If you are an individual, please join an activist organization near you. If you are unaffiliated individuals or you are a group, then you can register for housing on the site of OQP 2001 at http://www.oqp2001.org/ or CASA/CLAC
lolicom2001hotmail.com.
- Please, donate some money for housing. Donations should be made out and sent to the following address:
REPAC-03-12/OQP 2001
65 Notre-Dame-des-Anges, #4
Quebec (Quebec)
Canada G1K 3E4
???
Please note on your cheque that the funds are for lodging.
- If you don't find housing, you should try to reserve housing outside Quebec City, or you could consider doing a same day trip.
7) Maps
- Before coming to Quebec, you can get a free map of Quebec City or the Province of Quebec if you are a member of the American Automobile Association (AAA http://www.aaa.com) or the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA: http://www.caa.ca). You can also get a free map by writing to the following address:
C.P. 979
Montreal (Quebec)
CANADA
H3C 2W3
Fax: (514) 864-3838
E-mail: infotourisme.gouv.qc.ca
You can get a rough map, directions, and an estimate of the distance and travel time at the site http://www.mapquest.com. You can see a rough map on the web at http://www.quebecregion.com/e/cartes-quartiers.asp.
- Once in Quebec City, you can find a free map of Quebec City at any Tourist Office (i.e., Bureau Touristique) usually identified by a big question mark. You can also get a free map of Quebec City and the public transportation system
(STCUQ) by going to a convenience store (i.e., depanneur) which sells bus tickets.
- Finally, you can buy a map in most gas stations (i.e., stations d'essence).
8) Getting to Quebec City
- Transportation can probably be provided by your activist organization near you.
- Directions can be provided by the web site http://www.mapquest.com
8.1) Driving to Quebec City
Note: In French, a highway is an 'autoroute' and a bridge is a 'pont.'
- The following is a rough idea of the different routes to Quebec City: .. through Ottawa, take the 417 which will become the autoroute 40 in Quebec. Follow the 40 east into Quebec City ...
.. through Toronto, take the 401 east, which becomes the autoroute 20 in Quebec. Follow the 20 East into Quebec City. You will cross the Pierre Laporte Bridge (Pont Pierre Laporte) ...
.. from the Maritimes, get on the 185 from Edmunston, New Brunswick which will take you to autoroute 20, OR get on the 132 near Campbellton, New Brunswick which will become autoroute 20 at Riviere-du-Loup. In both cases follow the 20 into Quebec City. You will cross the Pierre Laporte Bridge (Pont Pierre Laporte) ...
.. via interstate 87 (New York). The 87 becomes autoroute 15 in Quebec. Follow the 15 north towards Montreal and transfer onto the autoroute 20 heading east towards Quebec City. Follow the 20 into Quebec City. You will cross the Pierre Laporte Bridge (Pont Pierre Laporte) ...
.. via interstate 91 (Vermont). The 91 becomes autoroute 55 in Quebec. Follow the 55 past Sherbrooke and transfer onto autoroute 20 heading east towards Quebec City. Follow the 20 into Quebec City. You will cross the Pierre Laporte Bridge (Pont Pierre Laporte) ...
.. from Maine, get on the 201 which become the 173 in Quebec. Follow the 173, which will become the 73. You will cross the Pierre Laporte Bridge (Pont Pierre Laporte) ...
.. via interstate 81 (New York), into Ontario. Transfer onto the 401 east, which becomes autoroute 20 in Quebec. Follow the 20 east into Quebec City. You will cross the Pierre Laporte Bridge (Pont Pierre Laporte) ...
8.2) Greyhound bus to Quebec City
Sarting point in the USA:
http://www.greyhound.com
Starting point in Canada:
http://www.greyhound.ca/
8.3) Fly to Quebec City
Cheap Tickets
http://www.cheaptickets.com
Air Canada
http://www.aircanada.ca/home.html
Travelocity
http://travelocity.com
Many more companies will fly to Quebec City or Montreal (count 2h45 min from Montreal to Quebec City by bus plus at least 45 min from the airport to the bus terminal downtown Montreal).
9) Driving in the Province of Quebec
9.1) Particularities
- Turning on a red light is illegal in the Province of Quebec (except as a trial in a few cities like Hull and Drummondville, but it is not allowed in Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivieres).
- Drivers are as bad as in Boston... In Quebec City they have a specialty in ignoring pedestrian crossings.
- Drivers in Canada must be insured.
10) Food
Activists from OQP 2001 are still working on getting food for activists coming in April 2001. Advance donations are welcome.
11) Border Crossing
11.1) Border Crossing Approach
- If you have to cross the Canadian border in order to get to Quebec City, there are several things that you should know. There are two main approaches regarding border crossing: the discreet one and the blatant one. The discreet approach consists in making oneself as normal looking as possible; spreading in as many crossing points as possible; crossing individually or by groups of 2 (an individual is less identifiable than a group, 2 people are less identifiable than 3, and so on). This is to maximize the number of people likely to be able to cross the border. The blatant approach consists in arriving at the border in force with as large a group as possible.
11.2) Border Rules and Common Practice
11.2.1) Canadian Security
- Taking a few minutes to prepare for your trip across the border is worth it in the long run. But don't get too nervous - border guards see thousands of people a day. A simple story, a smile, and staying calm will get you a long way. It is quite likely that you will get across very quickly without too many questions.
- You may be legally denied entry into Canada if you:
- may be involved in criminal activity (such as civil disobedience);
- may engage in acts of espionage, subversion against democratic government, institutions and processes, or are a member of an organization that will engage in such activities;
- may constitute a danger to the security of Canada;
- are unable or unwilling to support yourself and your dependents while in the country, and would require social assistance;
- may have committed either in or outside of Canada crimes of certain seriousness, unless five years have passed, and you can convince the relevant authorities that you are rehabilitated (there is some possibility of getting in for a short visit if your crimes were of a less serious nature, once your case is reviewed by a more senior immigration officer). Section 19 of Canada's Immigration Act prohibits the admission of people who pose a threat to public health, safety, order, and national security. Prior to attempting to enter the country, individuals who have had a criminal conviction in the past must contact the nearest Canadian embassy (http://canadaonline.about.com/library/fed/blfemblist.htm) or consulate to determine their admissibility as visitors into Canada. If found inadmissible, an immigration officer will advise whether a waiver (Minister's Permit) is possible.
11.2.2) Risk Assessment
- If you are at a high risk of being stopped at the border, then we suggest that you cross the border with a group of activists (also at high risk of being stopped). However, if you are at a moderate or low risk of being stopped at the border, you could choose the discreet approach. If you choose the blatant approach, you should join an organized border action described below.
- Risk assessment of being stopped at the border: You are at a HIGH RISK OF BEING STOPPED at the border, if: you have already been arrested in Canada or in your own country; you are one of the main organizers of direct actions against FTAA; you are traveling in a group of more than 3 activists; you have already been denied entry in Canada; you have political banners, signs, giant puppets, bumper sticker, or even a Nader badge; you explicitly say that you are going to a protest in Quebec City; you don't have a proof of citizenship (e.g., passport, birth certificate); you don't have enough luggage for the duration of your stay; OR you have illegal drugs, an illegal amount of alcohol or cigarettes; You have a MODERATE RISK OF BEING STOPPED at the border, if: you don't have any of the abovementioned risk factors; you have something unusual in your appearance: rings, hair style; you explicitly say that you are going to Quebec City; you don't have enough money on you; you carry fruits or vegetables; OR you are traveling in a group of 3 activists. You have a LOW RISK OF BEING STOPPED at the border if you don't have any of the abovementioned risk factors.
11.2.3) Being Questioned
You can expect the custom officers to be particularly picky at the time of the summit. You should therefore know the following rules:
- American citizens need a proof of citizenship (birth certificate and photo ID or passport) to get across the border. Permanent residents of the US who are not American citizens must have a green card. Visitors from other countries need a passport, some need a visa.
- Have a concise story regarding who you are visiting and the duration of your stay. Having the name of a person, an address, and a phone number may be helpful.
- Be able to prove you have enough money to support yourself for the number of days that you said you are staying.
- Be able to prove that you have some reason to return to the place from "which you came". This could include bills you received at home, a job contract, proof that you are a student, a lease.
- Usual Procedure:
The border guards will likely question you when you enter the country. Stay calm, only provide them with the information they ask for. Keep in mind that you don't have to tell them your life story. Do not volunteer information. While you may have to admit to a charge being outstanding, you should never admit to having committed an offense for which you have not been convicted.
If you are coming to Canada for a visit, and you intend to go to a rally while you are here, you don't have to tell the officer about the rally. You are not supposed to lie. But you also do not have to volunteer information that an officer may misconstrue and use against you. The usual procedure for a bus is to ask all passengers to get off with their carry-on luggage and to pass one by one in front of a customs officer. Car passengers are not usually subjected to such procedures unless your car is picked for a search. Custom officers usually ask: “Where are you going? Why? For how long? Where will you be staying? Where were you born?”
11.2.4) Being Searched
- Custom officers can ask you to open your luggage and search through them. You are supposed to watch this patiently... You can say that you refuse to be searched, but then you will be denied entry in Canada.
- If you are on medication, bring the prescription for the drugs and carry them in a clearly marked container. This goes for vitamins and herbal remedies as well. This will be important if you need meds in jail as well.
- Customs officials can also perform a strip search. Again, you have the right to refuse but you will be denied entry. Before they conduct the search, the officers must inform you of your right to legal counsel. And they must make a phone available to you to speak to your lawyer in privacy. If you don't have a lawyer, or your lawyer of choice is not available, you can always speak to a "duty counsel", a legal aid lawyer who is available, free of charge, for advice over the phone, 24 hours a day. If they do not have "reasonable grounds", they may ask if they can search you anyway. You have the right to say no. Know your rights. You can say "no". You do not have to submit to the indignity of a strip search if the officers don't have anything to go on other than a 'hunch.'
11.2.5) More Custom Information
- More activist information on customs is available at the following site
http://www.tao.ca/~stopftaa/tools/legupda.html
- More official information on customs is available at the following sites:
http://www.necromantic.net/deadparrot/border01.html
http://calgary.about.com/aboutcanada/calgary/blborder.htm?iam=dpile&terms=%2BCan
http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/.
11.3) Tactics to Facilitate Border Crossing
The following are a list of suggestions of tactics to facilitate border
crossing:
- Three federal opposition parties in Canada are opposed to the FTAA. They are: the Bloc Quebecois (which is for Quebec sovereignty – read 'independence'), the New Democratic Party (NDP; a social-democratic party), and the Green Party (which unfortunately has no seat in the Parliament). You could contact them ahead of time, fix a meeting with them in Quebec City and say that your goal for going to Quebec City is to meet such and such federal deputy (which would be true).
- If you put one celebrity and one journalist in each bus and if custom officers stop the bus on political grounds, the Canadian government will be embarrassed internationally. It would be interesting to see on TV a custom officer state that a giant puppet is dangerous for Canadian security. It would also be interesting to see signs showing basic demands such as “free speech,” “human rights,” “democracy” being stopped as a threat to Canadian government.
- It would help to have an official registration to the People's Summit of the Americas. Not only this summit is legal but it is sponsored by the Canadian government. However, don't register only for that reason because the places are limited (to about 1,200) and more people would like to go than there are places available.
- You may be interested to know that it is still possible to do down hill skiing in Quebec City at the Mount Ste-Anne ski center until May 1st on the north side of the mountain. They rent the ski equipment.
12) Border Actions
12.1) Goals and Tactics
- What are the goals of a border action? For many activists the goal is to facilitate border crossing, for others it is to gain public sympathy, or to expose that capital is free to circulate but people are not. Other activists have still other goals. Many people talk about blocking traffic. However, (1) blocking traffic constitutes civil disobedience. This would justify custom officers in denying entry to all activists on the ground that they are likely to do the same in Canada. Therefore, it is not clear how it would facilitate border crossing. (2) Also it is not clear how stopping traffic, in other words preventing non- activists from going where they want to go, can bring their sympathy. Being prevented from reaching a goal is the definition of frustration. Frustrated people are not the most sympathetic... How will preventing people from visiting their family or friends, attending an event, going to a marriage, or meeting a client make them sympathetic to us? (3) It is much better to let the custom officers themselves frustrate the population by denying them entry in Canada. They will be particularly tough at that period and they will probably stop lots of people who are not activists. Why not let the custom officers take the blame for frustrating the population? (4) Furthermore, many activists do not want to participate in a border action, blocking traffic could prevent them from even trying to cross the border. (5) Finally, if you decide to block traffic anyway, if you do it in the afternoon of the 21st, it should have less negative impact on the activists who are trying to get to Quebec City. Intelligent actions should have the effect of embarrassing the Canadian government internationally if they don't let activists through the border and the effect of educating the public.
12.2) Border Action Centers
There are the following propositions of border actions:
12.2.1) In Canada
- Community activists in Kingston (Ontario, Canada) would like to invite all FTAA opponents to take part in a border action caravan. Organizers, and activists from Peterborough, Belleville, Toronto and all points west are invited to stay in Kingston with billets on the evening of Wednesday, April 18. We will leave Kingston at 7am Thursday 19 in caravan and travel towards Quebec City, along the "NAFTA Free Trade Corridor" Hwy 401. We will do this very slowly, creating a clogged artery in a major Canada-US trade route. We will stop at the 1000 Islands International Bridge past Gananoque to wait for allies from Syracuse, Utica, Binghamton, the rest of New York State and beyond. A cell-phone number will be available for any comrades from the US. If they are not allowed free passage, we will close down the border. If they can't pass, nothing will. From the 1000 Islands bridge the Caravan will continue east, picking up activists from Ottawa at the junction of Hwy 401 and Hwy 16. (If we are blocking the bridge Ottawa activists could join us). The caravan will stop in Cornwall, again to ensure safe crossing at the border for anyone who wants to enter Canada. Near Cornwall are a series of locks for the St. Lawrence Seaway. We will lock down these locks, stopping the vast commercial shipping volume in or out of the Seaway (cf.: http://www.tao.ca/~kdawg/locks.html). Paul Martin, Canada's Finance Minister owns CSL (Canada Shipping Lines). Closing the locks closes down not just an inhumane economic system but directly affects the pocketbooks of the very people implementing the neo-liberal agenda. From here caravaners could continue to Quebec City or keep the locks shut down. We hope to be in Cornwall by noon, which would leave lots of time to get to Quebec City the evening before the all of the action. For more information visit the site http://www.tao.ca/~kdawg/smashftaa.html or e-mail: msilburnkingston.net
12.2.2) In USA
- Vermont
Activists from Vermont Mobilization for Global Justice (VTMGJ) are organizing a convergence center in Burlington. This center plans (hopes?) to provide housing for about 1,000 people. Activists who are stopped at the border can find there a place to sleep, food, an independent media center. The convergence center will also be a place to decide the next action. Greg Guma from the Independent Media Convergence Project: editortowardfreedom.com or Vermont Mobilization for Global Justice
POB 604
Burlington, VT 05402
interim telephone NFN/ACERCA office:
(802) 863-0571
(802) 864-8203 FAX
- Maine
Maine activists are planning to have a convergence center in Jackman. This is the closest major border crossing to Quebec City. Richard Stander or Nancy Galland, gallanderacadia.net, 207-567-4075.
- New York
Buffalo activists will organize protests from the 20th to the 22nd of April in order to stand up for fair trade! Since Buffalo has been hurt so badly by NAFTA (thousands of jobs lost), it is a major border city, one of the closest US cities to Quebec and this year is the 100th anniversary of the Pan American Exposition... we feel it is a good place for a regional demonstration... there will be a legal rally at the foot of the Peace Bridge (connecting the US & Canada) as well as actions possibly to shut down the bridge...
There will be giant paper mache puppetry, stilts, international critical mass bike rides, symbolic bridge crossings/shutdowns, banner hangings, bands and key speakers. Bring your guerrilla theater props, your gardening tools, all your creative energies, and let's demonstrate to the world that free trade is adevastating economic policy that affects us all! For more information visit: http://www.a22buffalo.org/
Representatives of NYC DAN, NYC Ya Basta!, IMC NYC, Philly Direct Action Group and the People's Law Collective met in Cornwall on March 4th with Tyendinaga Mohawks, Members of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), the Guelp Direct Action Group and the People's Community Union (PCU) in Kingston. The informal meeting was about a possible opening of the border by traditional Mohawk Warriors at Cornwall on April 19th to allow the passage of Activists into Canada (The Mohawks will use this as an asertion of their sovereignty, as the bridge crossing this border is on Mohawk Land.) For details contact: nycyabastaearthlink.net.
Diego and Los Angeles:
The US-Mexico border will also see border actions. For more information contact:
CALL To Action!
Mexico-US Border Mass Mobilization
LIBERATE THE BORDER,
NO MORE BLOCKADES!
April 20-22 2001
San Diego: tigerlibertad.ucsd.edu
Los Angeles: siuhinaol.com
Tijuana - San Diego, and beyond...
Phone: (626) 403-2530
E-mail: BorderActionsaol.com
http://www.actionla.org/border.htm
12.2.3) In Mexico
- Tijuana
There will be a border action in Tijuana. People intend to block the road going to the US. For more information contact:
CALL To Action!
Mexico-US Border Mass Mobilization
LIBERATE THE BORDER,
NO MORE BLOCKADES!
April 20-22 2001
Tijuana - San Diego, and beyond...
http://www.actionla.org/border.htm
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