Southern California will confront, directly and militantly, corporate globalization and the insidious Plan Colombia--which is responsible for the escalating human rights abuses in that troubled South American country--- in a massive mobilization in September which some organizers are now calling "the largest mass protest here since the Democratic National Convention."

Fifty organizations issued a "Call" to the progressive movement this week in which they highlighted some of the issues the September 29th Mobilization will deal with:

NO TO THE FTAA (Free Trade Areas for the Americas), NO TO PLAN COLOMBIA, the massive military intervention, FULL RIGHTS FOR WORKERS, FULL RIGHTS & LEGALIZATION FOR IMMIGRANTS, and JUSTICE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES HERE AT HOME!

The Call also denounced U.S. interference in elections in South and Central America and stressed that the demands are for justice throughout the hemisphere and here in the U.S.. Workers, immigrants, and youth will organize and lead the September 29 Justice Coalition, a spokesperson emphasized.

The Los Angeles rally and march will take place at the same time similar events are happening in Washington, D.C., San Salvador, El Salvador and some other U.S. cities. The World Bank meetings in the nation's capital have prompted a "week of actions" from September 26 to October 2 with majors marches in the District of Colombia on September 29 and throughout the week.

The Coalition Temporary Planning Committee declared their solidarity with the Boycott Taco Bell protests in Southern California in September.

"We are meeting with the Taco Bell organizers and will do everything possible to build both for their protests and for the September 29th Mobilization," a spokesperson commented. "We are complementing each other's organizing and working together." Taco Bell organizers are planning two protest events in September.

Major national and local organizations, agencies and groups have endorsed the Sep. 29 "Call" and more endorsements are coming in daily, according to the planners. "We see real momentum building for September," commented an organizer

The initial planning meeting for the September action has been announced and an open invitation has been issued. The first meeting is:

Friday, July 20, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. at CARECEN (Central American Resource Center) near the corner of Hoover and 7th Street in Los Angeles. The exact address is 2845 West 7th Street near Lafayette Park.

Mobilization organizers are in the middle of a national campaign to stop "Fast Track" from being approved by the Congress and explained that the legislation would provide an "easy route" for President Bush to get Congressional approval for the Free Trade Areas for the Americas (FTAA) and other anti-labor trade legislation. "Fast Track" limits Congressional debate on trade issues and restricts amendments, full debate and Congressional involvement. September 29 Mobilization planners are calling on everyone to call members of Congress immediately with a "NO ON FAST TRACK" message.

FTAA, if approved, will expand NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) from the arctic circle to the tip of South America, escalating poverty in the hemisphere.

Coalition members are issuing an invitation to all who wish to participate in the planning of the Sep. 29 Mobilization to attend the July 20 meeting and to call the Coalition office offering volunteer time and other services.

Great news! We'll be at this planning meeting for

September 29...defending the Duro Bag workers in Rio Bravo, Mexico, who have been heroically fighting for their rights. Corporate globalization, Fast Track and the FTAA are the major enemies of maquila workers everywhere! Gail

Nice to know that this is happening — but where does the demonstration start and, if a march is involved, where does it go? Also what time? Are these issues that still haven't been decided — just two and one-half months before the event? Sounds to me like some people either need to improve their P.R. or do a better job planning in general ...

Hey Mark in San Diego! Come on up! We need some dynamic organizers to help us on this Sep 29 Mobilization! We feel we can do it---and a good job---in two and a half months but we'll take all the help we can get.

Friday evening, July 20th, at 7:00 p.m. we're meeting at CARECEN (near the corner of 7th and Hoover) and we'll probably discuss and determine assembly site, march route and culminating rally location.

Was good to see your interest, even though you don't seem to have much confidence in these Los Angeles organizers! We're going to keep improving!

Adelante! don