Bloc talk

>> Anti-globalization activists reveal their true colours

by NAOMI BLOCH

To politicians tired of covering their tracks and citizens on the sidelines, the term "anti-globalization" conjures up naive young protesters throwing rocks at armoured riot squads who fight back with tear gas and heavy sticks.

But anti-globalization dissidents are like a rainbow; they come in colours everywhere, and at the end of April the whole spectrum of activist groups with their varying agendas will descend on Quebec City for the Summit of the Americas. With hundreds of groups including churches, unions, feminist collectives, human rights and environmental activists, not to mention anarchists, it's an initiative that's involved as much coordination as the leaders' summit itself, without the corporate sponsorship and with a fair amount of internal wrangling. The hardcore no-logos complain about short-sighted summit hoppers, while some of the older, break-no-bones tree-huggers plead for an end to illegal and violent protests.

One of the key organizing groups for Quebec, the reactionary Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC), has suggested that protesters follow a colour-coded bloc system. The green bloc would be a "no-arrest zone," involving festive demos, legal parades and peaceful forms of protest. The yellow bloc would be for defensive and non-violent actions including civil disobedience, with participants fully aware of the risks of arrest. Finally, a red zone would be reserved for disruptive actions and diverse tactics--a free terrain where any type of action, violent or otherwise, is at the discretion of those willing to take the risk. The response to CLAC's proposal has been mixed, on both ideological and logistical grounds, and it's unlikely that the model will be followed. Still, while some might have their differences, until this anti-corporate movement manages to topple the Man once and for all, they'll work hard to maintain the united colours of revolution.



CLAC

Colour bloc: Red, yellow or green, depending on their mood."Don't forget about the 'blue bloc,'" admonishes CLAC member Jaggi Singh. "The thousands of cops from all over Canada who will converge on Quebec City in a few weeks with lots of new toys. The blue bloc is the real threat of violence on the streets of Quebec City."

Methods of protest used/endorsed: "We respect a diversity of tactics and a variety of creative initiatives, ranging from popular education to direct action. Education without action does not go far enough; action without popular education is limiting.

"Let's be clear: there will be some very violent people coming to Quebec City between April 20-22. They are well-organized and very motivated. These are the 34 heads of state of the hemisphere who will be meeting behind a four-kilometre wall protected by thousands of police. It is the institutional violence that the FTAA and Summit of the Americas promote (poverty, indigenous genocide, militarization, prisons, environmental destruction) that we should target and oppose, rather than falling for the trap of isolating or marginalizing certain protest groups who engage in direct-action tactics."

Example of why you oppose FTAA: Chapter 11 cases such as Metalclad, Ethyl, S.D. Myers, Methanex and Sunbelt Water. "The FTAA is NAFTA on steroids. The NAFTA Chapter 11 cases, which allow investors to sue states, provide a clear preview of what to expect with the FTAA."

Proposed solutions: Staunchly opposed to the FTAA and the Summit of the Americas. "Trying to make the FTAA more democratic is a lot like asking a tiger to become a vegetarian. Moreover, a lot of social clauses are merely decorative and serve to hide the true intent of so-called free-trade agreements."

CLAC promotes participatory democracy, mutual aid, solidarity, individual and collective autonomy. The "power of capitalism, imperialism and patriarchy" need to be confronted head-on. "We are critical of the idea of 'activist tourism' and 'summit-hopping.' It's important to oppose the Summit of the Americas, but it's more important to agitate and create locally."



SalAMI

Colour bloc: Yellow.

Methods of protest used/endorsed: Non-violent and creative direct action, civil disobedience, popular education (like teach-ins), mass non-cooperation and the building of local alternatives. Do not endorse intentional harm to people or property. "We believe in strategic non-violent action. We wouldn't endorse anything we consider random or unstrategic in the context of a mass action, something that seemed to be done without respect," says spokesperson Mike Gagné.

Example of why you oppose FTAA: The proliferation of maquiladoras: foreign-owned assembly plants in Mexico, more than half of which are subsidiaries of U.S. firms. Labourers reportedly work gruelling hours. Working conditions are often hazardous, industrial accidents and toxic exposures are common. On average, workers earn between $0.80 and $1.25 (U.S.) an hour. "The northern part of Mexico has become an environmental disaster as well as a disaster for human rights."

Proposed solutions: "We don't think capitalism can be reformed. Our thing is looking at how to build a just and sustainable society--a truly radical alternative. We're not just 'anti' everything. Many people within SalAMI would identify themselves as anarchists and being for really autonomous, decentralized decision-making structures and participatory economics rather than corporate capitalism."



SOS Gaia

Colour bloc: Essentially green, a sprinkling of yellow.

Methods of protest used/endorsed: Public education on alternatives, peaceful protest such as the "circle action." Every day at 7 p.m. from April 16, protesters will form a human circle by holding hands to "show human solidarity and raise awareness of all the issues in a peaceful way, done at a safe distance from the defence perimeter," says spokesperson Brian Sarwer-Foner. The big dream is to have 4,000 people forming a chain around the entire defence perimeter. No official stand against violence, but as a group, are non-violent.

Example of why you oppose FTAA: Sacrificing the environment for the corporate buck. "Chapter 11, yes; S.D. Myers, sure--but let's talk about solutions, shall we?"

Proposed solution: Making lifestyle decisions such as riding a bike to work, using alternative energies, veganism. "Becoming a vegan can save one acre of land per year based on the inefficiency of growing crops to feed animals to feed us." Band together to demand change, try to go against corporate interests like the oil and gas industry and auto industry. Change consumption patterns. "The bottom line is being able to survive on the planet as a species."



Sierra Club

Colour bloc: Green as grass.

Methods of protest used/endorsed: Violence has no place in the struggle for social change, only peaceful and 100 per cent legal activities meant to educate are endorsed. No civil disobedience. "We'll be part of the legal march on April 21 and are organizing speakers for the environmental forum at the People's Summit and for Earth Day," says spokesperson Leslie Dickout. "We do not protest. You should be very careful when you throw these words around."

Example of why you oppose FTAA: Ethyl Co., a Virginia-based company that produces MMT, a fuel additive that Canada attempted to ban as a potential toxic hazard. Ethyl Co. sued Canada under NAFTA and sought restitution of $251-million (U.S.) to cover losses resulting from the "expropriation" of both its MMT production plant and its "good reputation." Canada settled before the tribunal ruled for $13-million (U.S.).

Proposed solution: Do not support any agreement that looks like previous free-trade agreements. In particular Chapter 11 must be removed. Fair trade not free trade, with protection of the environment and sustainable development playing a key part at every level of negotiations.