[mobglob-discuss] 'a call to action - calgary, alberta, 'canada''

[Macdonald Stainsby]

----- Forwarded message begin -----

*please distribute widely*

Anti-Capitalist Action Against the G8
'a call to action - calgary, alberta, 'canada''
june 21-28, 2002
June 25th - 'Showdown at the Ho-down' anti-G8 march and street party
June 26th - Affinity Group actions against the G8

On June 26 and 27, the major economic, political and military powers of the
world are meeting in the foothills of Alberta, Canada.  The G8 leaders,
protected from any displays of dissent by the largest 'security' operation in
Canada's history, are meeting to plan the continuance of capitalist and
imperialist exploitation.  The language used by the G8 speaks of
strengthening global economic growth, building a new partnership for Africa's
development and fighting terrorism.

The global economic growth that the G8 serves to create is based on the
exploitation of the majority of the world's peoples and the environment, for
the profit and power of a few.  The capitalist system, now rigorously
defended and advanced by the G8, came to dominance through the enslavement of
millions of African people, the genocide of the indigenous peoples of the
Americas, the oppression of women and the exploitation of workers and the
environment.

Africa has been exploited by the global economy for 500 years through
slavery, colonialism, Structural Adjustment Programs, neo-colonialism and
imperialism.  The wealth of G8 nations is a direct result of these policies
and progams.  This year the G8 will present NEPAD (the New Partnership for
Africa's Development) which talks about poverty alleviation and equal
partnerships.  This language merely serves the interests of the G8 as it
quells dissent to their neo-colonialist policies. NEPADs neo-liberal agenda
will further entrench the exploitation of African people while serving the
interests of the global economic elite.

The 'war on terrorism', being waged by G8 nations, is a continuance of a
centuries old pattern of state violence to serve the political and economic
interests of an elite.  The threat of 'terrorism' is being used by G8 nations
to militarize and oppress the world, under the guise of defending freedom.
Western powers invade and dominate nations of the global South, from
Afghanistan to the Phillipines, Iraq to Columbia.  In the G8 countries
themselves, people of colour are targetted by racist immigration and 'anti-
terrorism' legislation.  Borders are becoming more militarized and new powers
have been granted to governments to repress and control oppressed peoples and
political movements.

Here in Canada all levels of government, especially those in 'british
columbia', 'ontario' and in 'alberta', continue to mount attacks on our
communities.  Cutbacks to social services, environmental devastation, attacks
on aboriginal communities, increasing poverty and homelessness are some of
the results of these government's economic policies which only serve the
interests of big business and the rich.  These are the local effects of
capitalist globalization, which is embodied and advanced by the IMF, World
Bank, the G8, and treaties like the WTO, NAFTA and FTAA.

Across the world, people are rising up in resistance to capitalist
globalization.   Inspiring movements in the global South, exemplified by the
rebellions of millions in Argentina, Ecuador and Bolivia, lead the fight back
against global capitalism and  imperialism. Hundreds of thousands took the
streets in Genoa, Italy last July in protest against the G8.  The state
responded with police brutality, including the murder of activist Carlo
Giuliani.

The Calgay Anti-Capitalist Collective and Anti-Capitalist Edmonton, in
solidarity with movements worldwide, are calling activists, organizations and
affinity groups from 'b.c.', 'alberta', 'saskatchewan', 'manitoba', 'yukon',
'north west territories', nunavut, and the northwestern 'united states', to
come to Calgary to oppose the G8 and global capitalism.  Calgary is the
closest major city to the Kananaskis Summit, and is home to the corporate
headquarters of many transnational corporations responsible for the
exploitation of Africa and the global South, as well as many other
organizations and companies that support or profit from global and local
oppression and exploitation.  We encourage people outside of the region or
who cannot come to Calgary, to plan and take part in solidarity actions in
their communities, using the opening day of the 2002 G8 Summit as a day of
action against capitalist globalization and war.

June 21-28 Convergence
>From June 21-28 we are organizing a covergence to plan and coordinate actions
in Calgary during the G8 Summit.  Spokescouncils will take place each day, as
well as workshops,  panel discussions and other education events.  Affinity
groups and inviduals are encouraged to come prepared to share skills, ideas,
and to plan together.

June 25th - Showdown at the Ho-down!
On June 25, the City of Calgary is hosting a 'western themed' party, funded
by corporations and business lobbyists, to showcase the city to the delegates
of the G8 and the international media.  CACC and ACE are organizing our own
party, in solidarity with the poor and oppressed people of Calgary and
'alberta' to disrupt the facade of  the 'alberta advantage' and the racist
imagery of cavalier/cowboy capitalism.  We inted to expose the other side of
Calgary and alberta's glowing image: the growing epidemic of homelessness,
incidents of brutality and racism through it's police force, the handover of
wild spaces and endangered ecosystems to extraction industries, government
attacks on workers, women, social programs, people of colour, aboriginal
communities and more.

June 26th - Affinity Group Actions Against the G8!
On June 26, the opening day of the Kananaskis G8 summit, CACC and ACE will be
taking part in the actions organized by the larger anti-corporate
globalization coalition, offering support to affinity group actions and
respecting a diversity of tactics, while aiming to ensure the safety of
participants.  A snake march is planned, and CACC and ACE are providing a
list of local corporate head offices, G8 country consulates and other
institutions and companies that profit off of exploitation and oppression, to
ensure affinity groups can come prepared for many creative manifestations of
resistance.

For more information or to endorse the actions:
http://ack.struggle.ca
calgaryacc at yahoo.com
ace at struggle.ca


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Macdonald Stainsby
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/leninist-international
--
In the contradiction lies the hope.
                                     --Bertholt Brecht