PLEASE DISTRIBUTE
WIDELY********************
CALL FOR MESSAGES OF SOLIDARITY AND AN
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST THE WTO
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1999
Our Resistance is more International than Capital The World Trade
Organization, an international ruling body promoting corporate
power over people and ecosystems, has been attempting to hold
its third ministerial meeting in Seattle, USA from November 29-
December 3, 1999.
For the past three days, activists from all over the world have been
attacked with violent police opposition during their display of
resistance to the WTO. Included in the weapons used against
them have been tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion
grenades, and clubs.
A National State of Emergency has been called with a 7 p.m.
curfew every night and martial law has been imposed. Activists
and bystanders alike are being stopped and searched randomly by
the Seattle Police and the National Guard. It is now illegal for any
"citizen" to posses a gas mask and people with communication
radios or medical supplies are being targeted for arrest. On the
International Day of Action, November 30, fifty thousand people
were in Seattle to shut down the WTO. Using many direct action
techniques, activists ground the city to a halt, forcing the WTO to
cancel their opening ceremony and postpone their meetings. This
is no longer just about the WTO- This is about the repressive
nature of capitalism and the necessary resistance to it. This is
about creating a new society, it's about a world based on freedom
and autonomy. It's about a world free of discrimination and
violence. The means to which the government will go to squash
dissent has been blatantly shown to a new generation of activists
in Seattle and audiences watching around the world.
Over 500 people have been arrested, many of them refusing to get
off the buses they are being held in. Pre-determined acts of jail
solidarity have been incredibly effective in jamming the jails, and
have shown us what we can accomplish when we work together to
create unity and solidarity. These past few days have taken quite
a toll on the activists. Despite the violence used against them, the
activists are staying strong.
We need your support. We are calling for an
international day of action on Saturday, December 4,
1999 in support of the activists in Seattle and in
celebration of resistance. You can't imagine what it
means to us here in Seattle to know that people are
behind us. Hearing about actions happening against the
WTO in other parts of the world will give the
activists here in Seattle the strength to keep
fighting. We need you.
Send messages of solidarity to: [log in to unmask]
or fax (206) 632 9486
Please write letters to the Mayor of Seattle and
Seattle Police Chief demanding their resignation and
expressing your outrage at the use of chemical weapons
and rubber bullets on protesters and demanding the
immediate release of all jailed activists!
Mayor Paul E. Schell
600 4th 12th floor
Seattle, WA 98104 USA
(206) 684-4000
[log in to unmask]
FAX: (206) 684-5360
Chief Norm Stamper
610 3rd Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104 USA
(206) 684-5577
[log in to unmask]
FAX: (206) 684-5525
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