ACCtion Against Atlantica callout:
LETS SHUT DOWN ATLANTICA!
June 14-16, 2007, Halifax, Nova Scotia
ACCtion AGAINST ATLANTICA is an anti-capitalist coalition of community groups and concerned citizens who oppose the future mapped out for our region by the proponents of Altantica.
ATLANTICA is a proposed free trade zone that would include the Atlantic Canadian Provinces and the northern New England states. The proponents of Atlantica are meeting in Halifax June 14-16. ACCtion is organizing to confront Atlantica and send the message that the people and resources of the proposed Atlantica region are NOT for sale to the lowest bidder!
WE ARE RESISTING Atlantica because we believe it will increase the institutionalized poverty of neo-liberal capitalism. We are opposed to the fact that Atlantica aims to attract corporate interest to the Atlantic region by threatening to axe our minimum wage (which is already below poverty levels), our environmental regulations, our social programs, our public services and our workers' rights to unionize; things they refer to as "policy distress factors". This kind of language sounds eerily familiar to that of N.A.F.T.A. and the F.T.A.A. that aim to dismantle "trade barriers" such as social and public programs, environmental regulations and workers' rights.
WE ARE ORGANIZING three days of actions, workshops and events JUNE 14-16 in HALIFAX to confront the ruling class and their elite group of corporations during the upcoming meeting of Atlantica proponents. We are not here to politely ask for a reform of capitalism or Atlantica; we are here for real change and we can't do this without support. We are encouraging like-minded organizations, individuals and affinity groups to educate themselves and their communities about Atlantica, and come to Halifax June 14-16 to join in our actions or organize your own to make ourselves heard. For a schedule of events during the days of action visit the website below. Events in the works include a march and a reclaim the streets party, a family friendly picnic of resistance, a critical mass bike ride, along with a full day of workshops.Billeting and some food will be available during the days of action. Spread the word!
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FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AND BILLETING (check for updates in the coming weeks):
http://stopatlantica.com
LINKS TO COALITION SUPPORTERS:
http://nspirg.org/ (Nova Scotia Public Interest Research Group)
http://www.hfxcap.ca/ (Halifax Coalition Against Poverty)
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ACCtion AGAINST ATLANTICA operates under the 5 people's global action points of unity;
1) A very clear rejection of capitalism, imperialism, and feudalism; all trade agreements, institutions and governments that promote destructive globalization.
2)We reject all forms and systems of domination and discrimination including, but not limited to patriarchy, racism and religious fundamentalism of all creeds. We embrace the full dignity of all human beings.
3) A confrontational attitude, since we do not think that lobbying can have a major impact in such biased and undemocratic organizations, in which transnational capital is the only real policy maker.
4) A call to direct action and civil disobedience, support for social movements' struggles, advocating forms of resistance which maximize respect for life and oppressed people's rights, as well as the construction of local alternatives to global capitalism.
5) An organizational philosophy based on decentralization and autonomy.
