Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

Absurdly high security perimeters and gas masks: these have become symbols of global justice demonstrations all over the world. No different in Washington DC this month as all parties prepare for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Joint Annual General Meetings in Washington, D.C. to be held from September 29 to 30. While the schedule of the Joint Meeting has been scaled back for fear of disruption the ritual preparations are continuing as if everyone expects a repeat of the last major protest in D.C. -- the half-successful attempt to shut down a World Bank meeting in April of 2000. This time taxpayers are expected to shell out some two million dollars for a two-mile long fence to defend the White House and World Bank buildings from the non-violent agitators for global justice. Meanwhile a New York group who call themselves The Masquerade Project are busy decorating gas masks with bright paints, rhinestones, sequins, and glitter to transform them into "splendid and sassy creations". Their plea: "Let's bring the carnival against capitalism to the front lines of protest". In a new twist in the pattern of escalating confrontation Business Week reports that that the IMF and World Bank may finally be ready to meet their critics face to face. "Informed public discourse on the global economy is clearly needed," said a joint letter from Tom Dawson, head of external relations at the IMF, and Mats Karlsson, his counterpart at the World Bank, as if only their voices could ensure informed public discourse. The two were responding to a debate challenge made by four US-based organizations: Global Exchange, Jobs With Justice, 50 Years Is Enough and Essential Action. Opposition to the World Bank & IMF policies remains global. Also this week AlterNet.org, a project of the Independent Media Institute, has launched a new site to bring us breaking news and analysis about the upcoming large-scale protests.

[ The Masquerade Project | Business Week article | New Alternet Global Justice Protest Site ]

The August 14 live broadcast of Democracy Now! was rejected by Pacifica management and replaced by a tape of an archived show after all-night negotiations between management and host Amy Goodman broke down. The harrassment against Goodman, and this censorship, are just the latest in an increasingly alarming escalation of undemocratic and highly oppressive actions by the Pacifica board. PACIFICA NEEDS YOUR HELP TO COUNTER THIS ASSAULT. Los Angeles listeners of 90.7, KPFK, can attend a bilingual gathering to reclaim community access to KPFK on Saturday, August 25, at Loyola Law School. Read the article for more information.

Pacifica listeners can learn more about this ongoing struggle and how they can help at Pacifica Campaign.

[ Democracy Now! censorship | upcoming gathering | how you can help Pacifica Campaign ]

The progressive movement is called to reflect its solidarity with the people of Latin America and the Caribbean and the workers and the poor here at home and throughout the hemisphere by becoming part of the September 29 Justice Coalition to halt the insidious domination of the Americas by corporate transnationals and the U.S. military. S29 has declared its solidarity with the Boycott Taco Bell movement which calls for a living wage for tomato workers in Florida. The Taco Bell campaign will have demonstrations in September just prior to S29.

[ The Sep 29 Mobilization - BE A PART OF HISTORY! | Boycott the Bell | Florida Farmworkers protest Taco Bell's unfair labor practices ]

Once again, the U.S. refuses to play unless it gets to make up the "ruse"--this time at the UN World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR) in Durban, South Africa, 8/31 to 9/7. Unfortunately, there's more at stake than just a game, as Frances M. Beal (Nat'l. Secretary of the Black Radical Congress) details in two articles, "WCAR Agenda Still in Dispute," and "US Threatens to Boycott WCAR."

The threatened U.S. boycott is in response to the draft declaration's definition of Zionism as racism and definition of past slavery as a crime against humanity. Although pressure to remove the Zionism language may be working, the issue of Black reparations is proving more resistant to U.S./EU bullying. Black activists are seizing this opportunity to expose "the ongoing failure of the U.S. to comply with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination" (ratified by the U.S. in 1994).

WCAR info:UN Research Inst. for Social Dev. | WCAR and NGOs | Human Rights Internet

Local info: FULL REPORT on issues of racism and xenophobia derived from So. Cal.'s Preparatory Conference to the WCAR. (Report SUMMARY.) | Facing History