FTAA Summit in Miami Greeted by Massive Protests Opposing Anti-Democratic Corporate Agenda for the Americas

Interview with George Naylor, president of the National Family Farm Coaltion, conducted by Scott Harris

As delegates from every nation in the hemisphere except Cuba met in Miami to negotiate the Free Trade Area of the Americas treaty, tens of thousands of labor, farm, environmental and student activists also converged there to voice their opposition to the proposed trade deal. Groups organizing the protests charge that the FTAA, like the North American Free Trade Agreement on which it is modeled, surrenders national sovereignty to corporations leading to the erosion of democracy.

The FTAA, which the Bush administration hopes to have in place by 2005, could incorporate trade regulations that will allow private corporations to sue governments for perceived loss of profit caused by labor or environmental regulations legislated by local, state or federal governments. Other trade rules under discussion would enable transnational corporations to compete with publicly funded nonprofit institutions such as schools and hospitals.

Much like the first FTAA Summit in Quebec City in April 2001, protesters in Miami confronted a harsh police presence with basic civil liberties suspended for the duration of the meeting. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with George Naylor, president of the National Family Farm Coalition, who discusses the issues which brought thousands of activists to Miami and the common ground developed at the grassroots level throughout the hemisphere on issues such as agriculture policy.

Contact the National Family Farm Coalition by calling (202) 543-5671 or visit their website at www.nffc.net

Related links:



"Ordinary People Join in Protests:Many who don't fit the usual definition of demonstrators have joined the trade talks protests," by Amy Driscoll, Miami Herald, Nov. 19, 2003

"Food Policy Think Tank Reports Find Trade Agreements Hurt Farmers and Consumers While Benefiting Corporations," Food First press release, Nov. 18, 2003

"Starhawk:Protest the FTAA in Miami," ZNet, Oct. 29, 2003

"FTAA: Latin America Deserves Better," by Mary Robinson, International Herald Tribune, Nov. 18, 2003

"Musicians Rock Miami Protests," by Julia Scott, AlterNet, Nov. 18, 2003

"Farm Aid: Activism Takes the Stage," by Jim Slama, Conscious Choice, Nov. 18, 2003

"Starhawk:Protest the FTAA in Miami," ZNet, Oct. 29, 2003

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"Between The Lines" is a half-hour syndicated radio news magazine that each week features a summary of under-reported news stories and interviews with activists and journalists who offer progressive perspectives on international, national and regional political, economic and social issues. Because "Between The Lines" is independent of all publications, media networks or political parties, we are able to bring a diversity of voices to the airwaves generally ignored or marginalized by the major media. For more information on this week's topics and to check out our text archive listing topics and guests presented in previous programs visit: http://www.btlonline.org

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