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Louisville Consulta: Resist the FTAA
Anti-Capitalist Consulta in Louisville
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Resist the Free Trade Area of the Americas
Anti-capitalist consulta: JUNE 7-8
This
is a call for an anti-capitalist coordinating/planning meeting to begin
preparations for actions against the FTAA ministerial meeting being
held in Miami, Florida on November 20-22, 2003. We hope that this
consulta will be an opportunity to build a broad based, diverse
anti-capitalist response to the ministerial. Within the framework of
creative militant action we hope to create new models of resistance that
strengthen and revitalize our anti-capitalist/anti-authoritarian
community.
Who? Representatives of affinity groups, student
groups, community organizations, radical labor organizations,
collectives and all others opposed to capitalism and the FTAA.
Where? Louisville, Kentucky.
When? Saturday June 7 and Sunday June 8 (with arrivals and introductions on Friday, June 6)
Housing/childcare/space:
We will be providing housing and will try our hardest to get a place
for everyone to sleep. However, space is limited. The earlier you
register, the more likely it is that you will get housing. Childcare
will also be provided. Also due to the space restriction, we are asking
that groups send the smallest number of representatives possible to the
consulta.
REGISTER AT: ftaaconsulta [at] yahoo.com
To
attend the consulta, all groups are required to register. Upon
registration you will receive housing, directions to the consulta space
and updates if needed. Please let us know what group you are from, the
number of people in your group and if you 1) don’t mind camping out. 2)
want housing in a smoke free or alcohol free location 3) need childcare
4) or any other special needs. We will try to accommodate everyone.
-the enrag’es collective anti-ftaa organizing troupe
GLOBALIZE AUTONOMY -- GLOBALIZE RESISTANCE
(For
now we are adopting the statement of principals created by CASA for the
2001 Summit of the Americas protests in Quebec City. If desired, time
will be schedule during the consulta to draft a new statement of
principles.)
-- Anti-Capitalist
In opposition to the
growing tentacles of capitalist globalization, the Summit of the
Americas Welcoming Committee (CASA) aims to create an anti-capitalist
platform for discussion and action. No matter what form it has taken in
history (liberal, statist, mercantile, neo-liberal, or even "with a
human face") capitalism has always been about the domination of
commodities over individuals. Following the logic of profits, the
capitalist system monopolizes all social space, reducing human beings to
simply producers/consumers, much like the environment becomes only a
multitude of resources ready for exploitation.
-- Anti-Patriarchy
From
its origins, the capitalist system was founded on patriarchal
domination. Social relationships have been interwoven by this
centuries-old ideology that affects all aspects of our lives. This
ideological system creates a global system of masculine-based tyranny.
When even the existence of the ideology and practice of feminism is more
and more put into question, we reaffirm that only a full understanding
of structural oppression will allow us to envisage a society that is
radically equal.
-- Refusal of Hierarchy
It's clear that
that such a project, radically equal, can only come about in the
absence of hierarchical dynamics. We don't just denounce all forms of
servitude and exploitation of individuals, groups and peoples, but we
believe in putting into practice this basic principle within resistance
groups themselves and in our day-to-day activities. Hence, CASA offers a
radical opposition to the Summit of the Americas and similar processes
by organizing in an anti-authoritarian manner. Bringing together
individuals, the Welcoming Committee is structured around a democratic,
open and decisional general assembly. Anyone in accord with the values
and principles of CASA are urged to actively participate in accord with
their respective affinities.
-- Autonomy
Aiming to
create as many links as possible, with the goal of strengthening
networks of resistance, CASA is autonomous of all forms of authority
(parties, unions, etc.). We refuse to organize our actions in view of
its eventual mass media impact, which we consider to be a form of
disempowerment and subjection.
-- Non-reformist
It is
within the perspective of a radical transformation of society that CASA
adopts a confrontational attitude and rejects reformist alternatives
such as lobbying within the framework of negotiations of free trade
accords. We regard these strategies as not being able to have a positive
impact, and we exclude use of these types of anti-democratic processes.
-- Diversity of Tactics
Respecting a diversity of
tactics, CASA supports the use of a variety of creative initiatives,
ranging from popular education to direct action.
Thessaloniki, Greece - EU Summit
June 20-21, 2003
The
campaign “Action: Thessaloniki 2003” is a movement that unites
political parties, trade unions, youth organizations as well as anti-war
movements, associations of peasants, students, women, intellectuals,
scientists, artists, pensioners, movements for democratic rights and
international solidarity, migrants.
Our aim is to prepare and meet in a militant way the EU summit, which will be held on June 20-21-22, 2003, in Thessaloniki.
The
EU leaders will meet in order to impose new anti-popular measures, to
follow up previous reactionary decisions. The Thessaloniki Summit
assumes a special importance because it will settle issues like the
Euro-Army, the EU enlargement, and because during the Greek Presidency
an even more reactionary EU is thus sought in continuation of
Maastricht, Amsterdam and Nice treaties, a reliable support to NATO, G8
and imperialist globalisation.
In all these Summits, as well as
in Prague, Gothenburg, Genoa, Barcelona, Florence and Copenhagen
thousands of working people and youth expressed their will to resist the
New Order of the international monopoly capital. Is has become evident
that every movement that fights back this policy in his own country
should at the same time seek for contact, coordination, and joint action
with the popular movements in other countries.
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