A proposal has been made by various groups and movements of activists from Britain to hold an international day of action aimed at the heart of the global economy: the financial centres, banking districts and multinational corporation power bases. The suggested date is the 18th June 1999. Movements involved include Reclaim the Streets (now the West-European group on the conveners of Peoples' Global Action), and London Greenpeace (of McLibel fame).
This proposal is made in the spirit of strengthening our international networks and follows from the success of co-ordinated global action during May 16-20th 1998. These days saw actions, protests and demonstrations on all continents, for example over 30 ‘Reclaim the Streets parties’ in over 20 countries - a combination of illegal carnival, protest and direct action. In Brasilia 50,000 unemployed and landless peasants were on the streets, while in Hyderabad, India, 200,000 were protesting. These events coincided with the 'G8' meeting in Birmingham, Great Britain, and the third ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland. The 'G8' consists of the leaders of the eight most industrialised countries and exists to promote economic globalisation, ‘free’ trade and corporate dominance.
Next year between the 18th-20th June the G8 will meet in Koln, Germany. The idea is to take action around the globe to coincide with this meeting. This also links with the proposed tour of Indian farmers/activists in Europe to campaign against the World Trade Organisation and multinational corporations.
The proposal is to encourage as many movements and groups as possible to organise their own autonomous protests or actions, on the same day (June 18th), in the same geographical locations (financial/corporate/banking/business districts) around the world. Events could take place at relevant sites, e.g. multinational company offices, banks, stock exchanges. Each event would be organised autonomously and co-ordinated in each city or financial district by a variety of movements and groups. It is hoped that a whole range of different groups will take part, including workers, peasants, indigenous peoples, women, students, the landless, environmentalists, unwaged/unemployed and others....everyone who recognises that the global capitalist system, based on the exploitation of people and the planet for the profit of a few, is at the root of our social and ecological troubles.
The proposal has already been discussed by movements and groups on all continents, for example the Karnataka State Farmers (KRRS, peasant farmers movement, India), the Rainbow Keepers (ecologists from ex-USSR states), Processo de Communidades Negras (Colombian Black communities movement), Friends of the Earth, Uruguay (Environmentalists), CTERA (Argentinean teachers Union), Reclaim the Streets (New York, Prague, Sydney, London), COMUTRAS (textile workers union, El Salvador), peasant movements in Mozambique and many more. Plans are already well advanced in London and Koln. Ideas are flowing and enthusiasm is growing.
What can you do?
? Distribute leaflets, write your own or get those already produced (address below).
? Spread the word - with stickers, subvertising and stunts.
? Write articles in magazines, newsletters and papers plugging June 18 and explaining why your group is involved.
Join the email discussion list - < J18Discussion@gn.apc.org>. Subscribe by emailing listproc@gn.apc.org with "subscribe june 18 your name" in subject box. Organise meetings and invite all potentially interested parties in your area to discuss, debate and network ideas and realities.
Start dreaming up outrageous and possible ideas in an affinity group or as part of a larger network. Pick a target in your nearest financial centre (for UK it is the City of London, or possibly Edinburgh). A bank? A company? A commodity exchange? A major investor? Plot an action. Get involved in the coordinating group for your financial centre. Network this proposal to others.' June 18th', PO Box 9656, London, N4 4JY.
OUR RESISTANCE WILL BE AS TRANSNATIONAL AS CAPITAL!
Wherever there is oppression there is resistance..