Zapatista FTAA action on Nov 4.
A CALL TO ACTION NOVEMBER 4, 1999
SUPPORT THE ZAPATISTA COMMUNITIES IN RESISTANCE
OPPOSE THE EXPANSION OF NAFTAIn light of intensifying militarization in Chiapas, ACERCA, with the support of the Mexico Solidarity Network, is calling for an International Day of Action in support of the Zapatista communities in resistance on November 4, 1999.
Why November 4? On November 4, 1999, trade ministers from 34 countries will meet in Toronto, Canada, to continue negotiations for the expansion of NAFTA into all of the countries of the Americas, with the exception of Cuba. This new trade agreement under negotiation is called the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). We all know from our experience with NAFTA that if we allow this neoliberal trade agreement trade agreement to pass, the effects on indigenous people, workers, ecology, culture and local economic and political self-determination will be devastating.
In light of the recent escalation of military and paramilitary pressure in Chiapas, it is important that solidarity groups in the U.S. again make our support and resistance visible in the media and before the North American public. And strategically, just as the Zapatistas rose up on the day NAFTA was implemented, it is appropriate to organize a Day of Action on the day trade ministers are negotiating NAFTA expansion.
The ACERCA working group will be in Toronto from October 31-November 5, working with Canadian groups Metro Network for Social Justice and Common Frontiers to organize demonstrations and forums of civil society in opposition to the negotiations.
ACERCA invites all Zapatista supporters and opponents of "free trade" to join us in Toronto, or organize a demonstration in your community on November 4, International Day of Action and Resistance in solidarity with the Zapatista movement and all of the indigenous people of Mexico.
PLEASE JOIN US. COME TO TORONTO, OR ORGANZE AN EVENT IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY
ON NOVEMBER 4, 1999.
ACERCA
Action for Community & Ecology in the Rainforests of Central America
http://www.acerca.orgACERCA is a project of the Alliance for Global Justice and a member of the Native Forest Network
Toronto FTAA ministerial November 1999 | OAS Windsor June 2000 | ftaa | www.agp.org