From California to Cancun: Challenging the Economics of Empire

From California to Cancun: Challenging the Economics of Empire A free event against the WTO . . . and War by other means! Tuesday, August 19th, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. New College Theater, 777 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA Not since the Battle of Seattle in 1999 has the World Trade Organization (WTO) met in a place where dissent is allowed. But that's what trade ministers will face when they gather in Cancun, Mexico, from 10-14 September, in another attempt to globalize corporate rights over peoples' lives and the natural world. Like Seattle, Cancun will see local peoples' movements confronting global corporate power, all converging in a crucible of direct action and diplomacy that could determine the future of the international economy. Unlike Seattle, most protesters won't be wearing winter coats and rain boots, but the sandals and sombreros of Mexican campesinos, who are staging a massive mobilization against free trade. Mayan and other indigenous peoples are planning a large presence on the streets of Cancun, too. And on every continent, anti-war organizers are preparing worldwide solidarity actions to reject WTO's economic violence and to reinforce the message of peace. • What are the major issues for WTO in Cancun? • What's being planned for peaceful protests? • How can you get involved, whether in Cancun or California? Speakers: Victor Menotti, International Forum on Globalization: What's at Stake in Cancun? Asia Russell, Health GAP: HIV-AIDS, Public Health, and WTO Peter Rosset, Food First: Mexico's Campesino Mobilization to Cancun Juliette Beck, Public Citizen: Protecting the Public's Water from WTO Alberto Saldamando, International Indian Treaty Council: Why Indigenous Peoples Will Go to Cancun Antonia Juhasz, International Forum on Globalization: WTO's Expansion into New Issues TBA, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights Migrant Workers' Rights and the WTO Deborah James, Global Exchange: Fair Trade Confronts Free Trade David Solnit, Art and Revolution: Linking Local-Global Direct Actions Lisa Hoyos, California Coalition for Fair Trade: Call to Action Free. For more information: (415) 437-3425. Sponsored by New College of California