Los Angeles - More than 130 activists from the unions, people's organizations, art groups, environmentalists, advocates and individual activists from Southern California celebrated the people's victory when they met to hear the report back from the participants in the week long "Battle for Seattle" against the WTO. The forum was organized by the Southern California Fair Trade Network (SCFTN) held last December 6, 1999 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at People's CORE Conference Hall, 300 W. Cesar Chaves Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. BAYAN International USA is one of the leading member organizations of SCFTN.

"The Battle in Seattle was a people's protest festival against the WTO. No amount of repression and twisted propaganda can negate the people's victory.

The protest of tens of thousands of people who stood up against police repression showed that people's unity greatly affected WTO policies. When WTO decided not to decide on important issues and just steam roll public opposition, victory was gained. It was a great people's victory against capitalist globalization!" Leone Sandra Hankey, of SCFTN reiterated during the press conference. The press conference was widely attended by the press, radio, electronic and TV media. According to BAYAN media desk, TV stations 2, 5,13 were there as well as KFWB, LA Times and others.

In the press conference, Milady Quito of Gabriela Network spoke on behalf of BAYAN Int'l USA delegation that attended the People’s Assembly and March in Seattle organized by Sentenaryo ng Sambayanan. The anti-WTO conference was held at the Filipino Community Center in Seattle from November 28-30. The BAYAN Int'l USA delegation was composed of delegates from Philippine Peasant Support Network (PESANTE), Kabataang maka-Bayan (KmB), Gabriela and other solidarity groups.

"The Battle in Seattle is a reminiscence of the First Quarter Storm of 1970 in Manila that started to spell the doom of the US-Marcos regime in the Philippines." Joe Navidad of BAYAN Int’l USA said. "This time, the significance of the Battle in Seattle for the people especially the people's victory against the WTO proves that a united people can do anything!" Navidad added.

"For PESANTE, the WTO decision not to implement the Agreement on Agriculture (AOA) is a breathing spell for the Filipino peasants and other oppressed classes in the Third World and also for the American family farmers and the farm workers in the US and other capitalist countries. As long as the people are united, they can never be defeated." Arturo Garcia, coordinator of PESANTE said.

The WTO report back from Seattle was highlighted with the showing of the video clips about the 5 day "Battle for Seattle."