10/1-2 Protest IMF/World Bank Meetings

DROP THE DEBT! STOP THE WAR! WE DEMAND JUSTICE!

THE MOBILIZATION FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE calls all activists to
WASHINGTON DC on OCTOBER 1ST AND 2nd to protest the meetings of the G-7, the
World Bank and the IMF and to join a Memorial Procession to end the war in
Iraq.

In 2002, developing countries received $58 billion in loans and development
"aid", much of it from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund
(IMF). The same countries, in the same year, REPAID OVER 5 TIMES THAT AMOUNT
in servicing their debt: $324 BILLION. For many countries, paying back their
debt diverts public funds that would otherwise go to public education,
healthcare, food subsidies, and other essential services.

For the first time in history, 100% multilateral debt cancellation for
impoverished nations is on the table. An agreement could be reached on
October 1st during a meeting of the G7 Finance Ministers. The joint annual
meeting of the IMF and World Bank take place October 2nd and 3rd, and any
agreement on multilateral debt cancellation would have to be ratified and
implemented there. THEY MUST FEEL THE PRESSURE FROM US!

At the same time, thousands of US troops and Iraquis continue to be killed
in Iraq while US corporations like Halliburton reap the benefits.


FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1

"TIME'S UP! DROP THE DEBT!"
PICKET OF THE G-7 AT THE WORLD BANK/IMF MEETINGS
Friday, October 1, 12:00 noon, location TBA
Join Jubilee USA Network in front of the G-7 Finance ministers meeting in a
spirited picket. We will be there demanding that the voices of the millions
living under the harsh economic regime of international debt be heard - 100%
Debt Cancellation Without Harmful Conditions from the Resources of the World
Bank and the IMF! Money for health, education, the environment, not for debt
payments!
For more information: Jubilee USA Network, 202-783-3566, http://www.jubileeusa.org

WATCH AND WAITŠ.
VIGIL AT THE WORLD BANK AND IMF MEETINGS
Friday, Oct. 1, 2:30pm through Saturday, Oct. 2, 6:00pm
Location: Outside the World Bank and IMF, 18th and H Streets, NW
The 50 Years Is Enough Network, the Religious Working Group on the World
Bank and the IMF, the Jubilee USA Network, and Africa Action will keep vigil
outside the World Bank and IMF meetings. We will honor the victims of 60
years of tragic policies and crippling debt; we will call on the
institutions to cancel the debt. In solidarity with the successful peoples
movements everywhere, we will keep vigil in front of the World Bank and the
IMF, watching and waiting... for a measure of justice! Please join us!
For more information: 50 Years Is Enough Network, 202-463-2265,
http://www.50years.org


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2

A TRAIL OF MOURNING AND TRUTH FROM IRAQ TO THE WHITE HOUSE
October 2, 12:00 noon: Gathering: Arlington National Cemetery, Women's
Memorial
*Opening reflections by Andy Shallal, Veterans, Families who have lost loved
ones in Iraq, and Others *Please wear black mourning clothes befitting a
funeral or memorial *Arlington National Cemetery Metro stop (recommended) or
paid parking at the Cemetery *The Women's Memorial is at the end of
Memorial Drive near the cemetery's entrance

1:00pm: Memorial Procession from Arlington Cemetery to the White House
*Solemn procession across Memorial Bridge, past the Lincoln Memorial, and to
the Ellipse side of the White House (approx 3 miles)

2:00pm: Closing Ceremony: The White House, Ellipse
*Reading the names of the dead and remembering the wounded *Speakers: Arun
Gandhi, Lila Lipscomb, Celeste Zappala, Michael Berg, and Others
*Peacemakers risking arrest will try to deliver the names of the dead to the
White House at the conclusion of the ceremony. Those taking part are urged
to have nonviolence training, an affinity group & observe nonviolence
guidelines. Max: 410-323-7200 mobuszewski [at] afsc.org.

Sponsored by a coalition of groups including Iraq Pledge of Resistance,
Military Families Speak Out, Peace Action, American Friends Service
Committee, DC Antiwar Network, Washington Peace Center, and others.
For more information:
In Washington DC: 301-589-2355 or pledgecoordinator [at] starpower.net
Baltimore: 410-323-7200
Philadelphia/Wilmington: 302-656-2721
NYC: 212-228-0450 x104


FOLLOWING THE MEMORIAL PROCESSION, MGJ WILL MARCH TO JOIN THE VIGIL AT THE
WORLD BANK AND IMF MEETINGS
The vigil will culminate in a closing ceremony 4:00-6:00pm


THE MOBILIZATION FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE is a Washington DC based group that
works on issues of global economic and social justice and sustainability. We
believe another world is possible and necessary. We envision a world free of
corporate domination and crushing debt, particularly in communities of
color. We act to expose and change the institutionalized violence wrought by
international financial and trade institutions such as the World Bank,
International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organization.

The Mobilization is committed to nonviolence and recognizes militarism as a
tool used by the global corporate elite to keep money flowing to the
privileged few while restricting the rights of people worldwide. We oppose
corporate practice which places short-term profits ahead of human dignity,
sustainable development and a healthy earth. We stand for the globalization
of our rights to speech, thought, religion, assembly, a clean environment,
self-determination, freedom from fear and persecution and freedom from
poverty.

We stand for the rights of women, children, elderly, affordable health care,
strong labor rights and social and economic policies that put people and the
environment before profits. Finally, we are committed to linking the IMF and
World Bank policies to similar ones that are being implemented in Washington
DC which are resulting in decreased access to vital human services for DC's
most needy residents. To that other globalization--the globalization of
greed and obscene concentrations of wealth--we say that Another World Is
Possible and Necessary.

MGJ is a non-hierarchical nonviolent organization of individuals and
organizations that promotes the arts, conducts workshops, facilitates
nonviolent direct actions, educates, organizes, campaigns, empowers, and
aims to rip injustice from its roots.