[mobglob-discuss] Hunger Strike Against FTAA Begins

[Robert Baxter]

Hunger Strike Against the FTAA Begins
Vancouver activists plan continuous campout vigil at Peace Arch

VANCOUVER, BC Canada – Two local activists began a hunger strike yesterday
to protest plans to implement the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
Two other activists are currently fasting in support.

The activists are currently maintaining a continuous vigil at the Peace Arch
and have set up a small camp there.  They plan on continuing the hunger
strike over the weeks leading up to the FTAA’s Ministerial in Miami on
November 20th and 21st.

The activists presented a series of principles that they would like the
Federal government to take immediate action on (see below).  They also asked
Vancouver City Council to declare Vancouver an “FTAA-free zone.”

Maude Barlow, National Chairperson for the Council of Canadians expressed
her support for the hunger strikers by saying,  “I deeply believe that they
are trying to bring attention to all Canadians about what this potential
threat is.  We want to be there beside the strikers to provide support and
provide information as to what it is that would drive someone to do that.”

One of the hunger strikers, Melissa Garcia Lamarca, said that she felt
motivated to join the strike because, “it is critical for people around the
world to act in solidarity, to show that we oppose trade agreements that
benefit a select few at the expense and suffering of many.”

In recent years, representatives from 34 countries including Canada have
been working to expand the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to
Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The Free Trade Area of the
Americas (FTAA) is another example of the free-market fundamentalism that
has created a global race-to-the-bottom that threatens the environment,
families' livelihoods, human rights, and democracy. Once again, a sweeping
"free trade" agreement is in the works that puts commercial interests above
these values.

For more information on the hunger strike visit: www.economicjustice.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.