[mobglob-discuss] Announcement About Hunger Strike On Thursday

[Steve Kisby]

http://www.alternatives.com/prms/2003/vsfc1119.pdf

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:	Rob Baxter, 604.267.6065
	rbaxter at epilogicconsulting.com

Announcement About Hunger Strike On Thursday
Local Vigil Planned in Solidarity with Protests in Miami

VANCOUVER -- November 19, 2003 -- Activists will make an announcement about the hunger strike against the FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas) during a vigil at Noon on Thursday, November 20, in front of the World Trade Centre at Canada Place. The hunger strike has continued for 24 days. During that time there has been a camp set up at the Peace Arch border crossing as part of the protest.

The vigil is planned to show solidarity with thousands that will be protesting during the FTAA Ministerial Meetings in Miami on November 20 and 21. Speakers will also bring updates from Vancouver residents who are in Miami.

In recent days the activists have received support from various levels of government. Member of Parliament Libby Davis said, "I certainly offer my support to you in your campaign and will continue to speak out against the expansion of free-trade agreements."

At Tuesday night's Vancouver City Council meeting Councilors Fred Bass and Ellen Woodsworth both spoke in support of the hunger strikers. They spoke as council was considering a motion to support efforts by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to deal with the effects of international trade agreements.

Vancouver activists began the hunger strike on October 27 to protest Canada's negotiating position at the upcoming FTAA Ministerial Meeting in Miami. Activists have set up a camp at the Peace Arch border crossing as part of the protest. The protesters have presented a series of principles that they would like immediate action on (see Principles for Immediate Action attached).

For more information on the hunger strike visit: http://www.economicjustice.ca 
The event is being organized by Artists For Peace (http://www.artistsforpeace.ca)
 
Principles for Immediate Action:

1. The City of Vancouver pass a resolution declaring Vancouver an FTAA-free zone.

2. The Federal Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew come to Vancouver and meet with the hunger strikers at our protest site before he attends the FTAA Summit in Miami this November.

3. The Canadian government commence action to repeal the investor-state provision of NAFTA (chapter 11) and preclude it's inclusion in the FTAA.

4. Before any Americas trade deal is signed by Canada, the Canadian government must take action to ensure that the rights of all of this continent's peoples are protected by a written code of human rights, signed by all countries involved, with real enforceable provisions.

5. A federal referendum be held to determine our (Canadian) participation in all present and future International Trade Agreements.

6. The FTAA not infringe on the right of local indigenous communities and nations to govern themselves, including the ability of those local communities and nations to control resources and lands within their territories.

For more information, please also see:

1. Global Exchange's "Top Ten Reasons to Oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas": http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/ftaa/Top10NoFTAA.pdf  http://www.globalexchange.org/ftaa/topten.html

2. Council of Canadians' "Stop the FTAA": http://www.canadians.org/documents/stop_the_ftaa-e.pdf  http://www.canadians.org/display_document.htm?id=108&isdoc=1

3. Vancouver Hunger Strike Against the FTAA: 
http://www.economicjustice.ca


At 22:53 18/11/03 -0800, Robert Baxter wrote:
>Here is a Media Alert to send out tomorrow (Wednesday).  I am doing this in
>a hurry so please feel free to edit and improve.
<snip>