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Washington DC
- On
April 16, tens of thousands of concerned citizens and activists converged
on Washing DC to protest the meetings of the World Bank and the International
Monetary Fund (IMF). Linked directly to the World Trade Organization,
whose 1999 meeting was successfully interrupted by mass demonstrations
and
sit-downs, these are some of the most powerful institutions on the planet.
While
finance-ministers and central bankers from 25 countries met to discuss
policy, an incredible cross-section of people from around the world joined
together to demand global justice against a common 'foe' called globalization.
The week long activities included workshops, teach-ins, non-violent protest
and direct action, which caused a partial, shut down of the US Government.
Some
organizations protesting called for the IMF and World Bank to reform.
Others demanded a complete shut down, and called for these 'financiers'
to cancel the enormous debt 'owed' to them by developing countries. Protestors
also demanded that these international
institutions cease the imposition of 'structural adjustment' programs
that deepen poverty and inequality, and damage the environment.
The
highlight of the weeklong protest was the massive rally held on April
16 at the Ellipse between the
White House and the Mall. The event was organized and co-sponsored by
a dynamic coalition, which included organizations such as 50 Years is
Enough Network, ACT-UP, American Federation of Labor, Friends of the Earth,
Radio and Machine Workers, United Steel Workers of America, US Students
Association and many others.
U.S.
Representatives of the Asociacion Nacional Indigena Salvadoreno (ANIS)
in Washington DC(UCTP Photo)
Television personality,
Michael Moore, was the 'Emcee'. The daylong rally was filled with fiery
speeches and hot musical presentations. Among the speakers and musical
presenters were Green Party Presidential
Nominee, Ralph Nader, and the Indigo Girls.
A
delegation representing Indigenous Peoples from the Western Hemisphere
joined local Piscataway Indians
on stage for a traditional welcome to open the event. On behalf of Piscataway
Chief Billy Tayac, Ben Carnes (Choctaw), informed the large gathering
that they were welcomed on the ancestral territory of the Piscataway Nation.
The delegation then joined together to sing the anthem of the American
Indian Movement.
Some
organizations represented in the delegation were the League of Indigenous
Sovereign Nations, International Indian Treaty Council, Leonard Peliter
Defense Committee, ANIS, and the United Confederation of TainoPeople.
Later
in the afternoon, Ms. Jean Day the representative of
the Leonard Peliter Defense Committee read a powerful statement written
by American Indian Political Prisoner, Leonard Peliter.
As
expected, the mainstream news media tried to
downplay the demonstration, stating the activist were 'unorganized hippies
and anarchists' - the reality was much to
the contrary.
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