FYI: Quebec 2001: Consulta - January 27-28

Subj:    (ftaa-l) Quebec 2001: Consulta - January 27-28
Date:   00-12-23 05:11:18 EST
From:   clac@tao.ca (la C.L.A.C.)
Sender: worker-ftaa-l@lists.tao.ca
To: ftaa-l@lists.tao.ca

[please post and forward]

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 Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC) -- Montreal
(CLAC: La Convergence des luttes anti-capitalistes)
BASIS OF UNITY (translation from the French)

1. The Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC in French) is opposed to
capitalism. We fundamentally reject a social and economic system based on
the private ownership of the means of production and exchange. We reject a
system driven by an exploitative logic that sees human beings as human
capital, ecosystems as natural resources, and culture as simply a
commodity.  We reject the idea that the world is only valuable in terms of
profit, competition and efficiency.

2. The CLAC also rejects the ideology of neo-liberalism, whereby
corporations and investors are exempt from all political and social
measures that interfere with their so-called "success".

3. The CLAC is anti-imperialist, opposed to patriarchy, and denounces all
forms of exploitation and oppression. We assert a worldview based on the
respect of our differences and the autonomy of groups, individuals and
peoples. Our objective is to globalize our networks of resistance to
corporate rule.

4. Respecting a diversity of tactics, the CLAC supports the use of a
variety of creative initiatives, ranging between popular education to
direct action.

5. The CLAC is autonomous, decentralized and non-hierarchical. We
encourage the involvement of anyone who accepts this statement of
principles. We also encourage the participation of all individuals in
working groups, in accord with their respective political affiliations.

6. With regards to the Summit of the Americas (April 2001) and the
negotiations of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), the CLAC
adopts a confrontational attitude and rejects reformist alternatives such
as lobbying which cannot have a major impact on anti-democratic processes.
We intend to shut down the Summit of the Americas and to turn the FTAA
negotiations into a non-event.

e-mail: clac@tao.ca
web: http://www.quebec2001.net
tel: +1 514 526-8946
post: 2035, St-Laurent Boulevard, 2nd floor
      Montreal, Quebec H2X 2T3 CANADA


[For more information about the January 27-28 Consulta, or to register,
please e-mail casa_clac_consulta@hotmail.com]



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resisting the FTAA and capitalist globalization
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