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I hope some folks from the east coast can attend this. CLAC asked me to invite you. Maybe we can collaborate on travel??? Let me know. Please also let me know if you are going to Montreal for Jan. 19th. Aaron Koleszar <aaronk@isn.net> ----------------------------------------------------- From: "la C.L.A.C." <clac@tao.ca> [Please post and forward; sorry for duplications] Resist the Summit of the Americas and the FTAA -- a CONSULTA on anti-capitalist actions against the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City (April 2001) and beyond ... WHEN: January 27-28, 2001 WHERE: Quebec City WHO: YOU! ... organizers and representatives of groups and collectives opposing the FTAA, the Summit of the Americas and capitalist globalization -- from Quebec, Ontario, the Maritimes, Canada, the Northeastern USA and elsewhere ... HOSTS: The Summit of the Americas Welcoming Committee/Le Comité d'Accueil du Sommet des Amériques (CASA) -- Quebec City AND The Anti-Capitalist Convergence/La Convergence des luttes anti-capitalistes (CLAC) -- Montreal FOR MORE INFO OR TO GET IN TOUCH: casa_clac_consulta@hotmail.com Next April 20-22, 2001, Quebec City has the dubious honor of hosting the Summit of the Americas, which brings together the 34 heads of state of North, South and Central America, as well as the Caribbean (except Cuba). In the context of the largest police and security operation in Canadian history, the Summit aims to talk about security and terrorism, and utter empty rhetoric about democracy and human rights. One major goal of the Summit is to put the final touches on the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) agreement. In anticipation of the mobilizations against April's Summit, two anti-capitalist, anti-authoritarian groups based in Quebec City and Montreal are proposing a face-to-face consulta (consultation). The consulta will take place in Quebec City on January 27 and 28, and we are inviting groups and individuals who are in basic agreement with the principles of the Summit of the Americas Welcoming Committee (CASA) and the Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC) (attached below). There are several components to the consulta: · sharing basic information about the FTAA, the Summit of the Americas as well as the local situation in Quebec City; · providing an "activist tour" of Quebec City for out-of-towners; · discussing and debating action strategies (in Quebec City and elsewhere) against the Summit of the Americas next April 20-22; · coordinating strategies; · discussing how to strengthen anti-capitalist, anti-authoritarian networks of resistance; · getting to know each other and sharing our experiences of resistance and revolt. For the hosts -- CASA and CLAC -- the consulta allows us to better prepare for the major mobilizations next April, as well as to help lay the groundwork for ongoing anti-capitalist actions beyond April. For attendees, we hope to provide you with solid information that will be useful to your own local mobilizing efforts (whether you plan on coming to Quebec City or not), as well as to get acquainted with Quebec-based organizers and activists. The consulta is being held in late-January to provide an almost three-month window to mobilize for Quebec City in April. CASA and CLAC will be able to offer basic housing (with local activists) to people coming from out-of-town. We will also endeavor to provide cheap meals during the consulta. We ask that you pay your own way to get to Quebec City, and donate what you can towards expenses while here. CASA and CLAC are trying to ensure broad participation of anti-capitalist, anti-authoritarian organizers, especially from marginalized communities. We will try to subsidize such participants as much as our budget will permit. We ask for your help in ensuring a representative turnout, either by sharing rides, or with donations if you can spare the cash. Also, please share info about the consulta with other radical, anti-capitalist networks that might not otherwise see this e-mail. The entire consulta will be accessible to both English and French speakers. There will also be Spanish translation on request, and childcare if needed. If you are planning on attending the consulta, or to get more information, please e-mail casa_clac_consulta@hotmail.com. Please specify how many people are coming from your area, More information about the consulta, including the full agenda, and instructions about how to get to Quebec City, will be posted soon. "It didn't start in Seattle ... and it sure as hell isn't going to stop with Quebec." casa_clac_consulta@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------- ======================================================= Summit of the Americas Welcoming Committee (CASA) -- Québec City (CASA : le Comité d'Accueil du Sommet des Amériques) GOALS AND PRINCIPLES (unofficial translation from the French) Next April 2001, 34 heads of state will be meeting in Quebec City with the goal of creating a free-trade zone that will extend from one end of the Americas to the other -- the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Accelerating both social and ecological degradation -- these leaders aim to extend the reach of capitalism, subjecting our lives to the domination of the commodity economy. In the face of this systematic dispossession of our political power, resistance is essential. This April 2001, a "welcoming committee" will be will waiting for them. In the absence of a grassroots, radical and anti-capitalist opposition to the Summit of the Americas and the FTAA in Quebec City, we propose the creation of the Summit of the Americas Welcoming Committee (CASA). This coalition of individuals, much like the CLAC (The Anti-Capitalist Convergence in Montreal), comes together on the following principles: -- Anti-Capitalist In opposition to the growing tentacles of capitalist globalization, the Summit of the Americas Welcoming Committee (CASA) aims to create an anti-capitalist platform for discussion and action. No matter what form it has taken in history (liberal, statist, mercantile, neo-liberal, or even "with a human face") capitalism has always been about the domination of commodities over individuals. Following the logic of profits, the capitalist system monopolizes all social space, reducing human beings to simply producers/consumers, much like the environment becomes only a multitude of resources ready for exploitation. -- Anti-Patriarchy >From its origins, the capitalist system was founded on patriarchal domination. Social relationships have been interwoven by this centuries-old ideology that affects all aspects of our lives. This ideological system creates a global system of masculine-based tyranny. When even the existence of the ideology and practice of feminism is more and more put into question, we reaffirm that only a full understanding of structural oppression will allow us to envisage a society that is radically equal. -- Refusal of Hierarchy It's clear that that such a project, radically equal, can only come about in the absence of hierarchical dynamics. We don't just denounce all forms of servitude and exploitation of individuals, groups and peoples, but we believe in putting into practice this basic principle within resistance groups themselves and in our day-to-day activities. Hence, CASA offers a radical opposition to the Summit of the Americas and similar processes by organizing in an anti-authoritarian manner. Bringing together individuals, the Welcoming Committee is structured around a democratic, open and decisional general assembly. Anyone in accord with the values and principles of CASA are urged to actively participate in accord with their respective affinities. -- Autonomy Aiming to create as many links as possible, with the goal of strengthening networks of resistance, CASA is autonomous of all forms of authority (parties, unions, etc.). We refuse to organize our actions in view of its eventual mass media impact, which we consider to be a form of disempowerment and subjection. -- Non-reformist It is within the perspective of a radical transformation of society that CASA adopts a confrontational attitude and rejects reformist alternatives such as lobbying within the framework of negotiations of free trade accords. We regard these strategies as not being able to have a positive impact, and we exclude use of these types of anti-democratic processes. -- Diversity of Tactics Respecting a diversity of tactics, CASA supports the use of a variety of creative initiatives, ranging from popular education to direct action. In supporting these principles, the Summit of the Americas Welcoming Committee aims to build a radical and resolute opposition to capitalism, and to its lackeys who will be meeting in Quebec City to negotiate the FTAA. The Summit of the Americas will be held in the middle of a Carnival of Resistance that will converge various social movements, and in which CASA intends to play an active role. While waiting to see capitalism crushed by the blows of a new revolutionary movement, CASA intends to derail the FTAA and unhinge the power of the leaders of the Americas. Anyone in agreement with these principles, and who wish to prepare a "warm and thoughtful welcoming," are encouraged to get involved. temporary e-mail: la_casa2001@hotmail.com [. . .] -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- The preceding message was posted on Sustainable Maritimes (sust-mar) -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Questions about sust-mar? Problems? Email <sust-mar-owner@chebucto.ns.ca> Please remember to UNSUBSCRIBE if your email account is changing, or if you are going away. 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