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G7 economic policies shape both global and local economies and encourage
decision making policies that put profit before people. These policies
adversely affect worker's rights, degrade our environment, and increase
poverty.
What is a change to legislation here in Canada amounts to war in other parts
of the world. There have been brutal and indiscriminate assaults on the
people of Afghanistan since October 7th, when the retaliation began. In
Palestine, the autonomous areas are being invaded by thousands of troops
backed by tanks. In Iraq, the threat of war is becoming more and more
plausible while economic sanctions against them cause the deaths of
hundreds there each day. The tragic events of September 11th are
being exploited as a pretext to target social movements in the Philippines
and Colombia, and to expand Western control.
A group of citizens are meeting as the Atlantic G7 Welcoming Committee to
provide education about G7 and to plan an appropriate reception for the
Finance Ministers. We are planning actions that clearly oppose the G7, work
in solidarity with G8 protests and support local and regional grassroots
social justice efforts.
Our Organising Principles
The Atlantic G7 Welcoming Committee is organizing peaceful rallies, marches
and other actions protesting the G7 Finance Ministers meeting. The
committee is also hoping to coordinate and facilitate non-confrontational
civil disobedience. The Committee intends to co-ordinate actions on the
days of the events to allow everyone to protest in the way they choose,
without adversely affecting the real or felt safety of others.
In order to facilitate coordination of actions and the highest participation
possible, the Committee is hosting a two-day teach-in and training session
On June 1st and 2nd in preparation for the June 14 and 15 events. Part of
the second day will be allotted for planning and coordinating purposes.
In order to ensure the highest degree of solidarity possible, we are
committed to maintaining an open dialogue with all groups protesting in
Halifax June 14 and 15. We encourage all groups to let us know what general
sort of action they are planning, and when, so we can coordinate timing with
other planned actions if possible and help to publicise the action if
desired. We will make any legal and other forms of support we
provide available to all who may need it. We recognize that we do not speak
for all protesters and that groups may wish to pursue alternative tactics to
those we are planning.
The Atlantic G7 Welcoming Committee will promote solidarity among all who
are protesting, and will publicly support any who might experience the
negative effects of police overreaction, get arrested, or otherwise conflict
with police in the course of civil disobedience, direct action or any other
form of protest.
Events Calendar
June 1-2 Teach-In
Day 1 - information/education on G7, globalisation, IMF, etc
Day 2 - training in activist medical, know your rights, legal aspects, and
tactics; planning and coordination of June 14-15 actions
Friday, June 14
5 p.m. Halifax Commons
March, possibly incorporating a torch-lit vigil/symbolic funeral,
Argentinian-style protest with pots & pans and other festive and creative motifs
Saturday, June 15
Mid-day march to the site of the meetings followed by civil disobedience for
those who wish to engage in it, and/or a rally, depending on numbers
Contact http://www.ziplip.com/~hfx-g7 or call 902.494.6662 for more information or to
find out how to get involved.
Media
Max Haiven http://www.yahoo.ca/~maxhaiven
Outreach/Solidarity
Chris Arsenault http://www./~commiebastardhotmail.com
Education
Jen Ford http://www.hotmail.com/~fordface
Finance/fundraising
Kelly Hopkins-Godwin superules@hfx.eastlink.ca
Convergence centre
Larissa Holman http://www.snail-mail.n/~capiaset
Accommodation/Billeting
Chris Arsenault http://www./~commiebastardhotmail.com
Food
http://www.ziplip.com/~hfx-g7
Legal
Social Activist Law Students Association c/o http://www.is2.dal.ca/~maleslie
Medical
Tim Bood http://www.ns.sympatico.ca/~tbood
Listworkers
Max Haiven http://www.yahoo.ca/~maxhaiven
Jessica Squires http://www.kayhay.com/~benoit
Ben Tremblay http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ab006
Information links
www.50years.org
www.mob4glob.ca
www.takethecapital.net
www.indymedia.org
http://maritimes.indymedia.org
http://g8.activist.ca
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