April 16, 2000

OPPOSE THE USE OF MARTIAL LAW TACTICS IN STOPPING THE PEOPLE’S PROTESTS AGAINST IMPERIALIST GLOBALIZATION!

We, the People’s Assembly Against the IMF-WB denounce the use of strong-arm military and police tactics in Washington, D.C. against peaceful and militant protesters denouncing the IMF-WB-WTO as instruments of monopoly capitalism against poor people everywhere, especially in Third World countries. The wanton suppression of basic democratic rights of free speech and assembly in a country that boasts of being the freest and most democratic in the world reflects the nature of globalization now under fire in the very heartland of its foremost champion, US imperialism.

As the people’s resistance against the IMF-World Bank-WTO grows stronger and more militant, it should come as no surprise that the response of elite governments everywhere is intensified repression. This is what struggling peoples in neocolonies in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East know from direct experience with fascist and militarist regimes subservient to imperialist dictates. This is the painful lesson of the growing people’s movement right here in the US.

Under the guise of concern for public safety, the Convergence Center, the coordinating place for this week’s anti-IMF/WB activities, has been closed by government authorities. George Washington University has been shut down during the weekend of protest activities effectively banning educational forums about the IMF/WB on campus including one sponsored by the People’s Assembly. Arbitrary questioning and detention of people on the streets is a growing occurrence as police try to flush out activists planning direct action or frighten potential demonstrators. Barricades continue to be erected around an enlarging perimeter of the IMF and World Bank headquarters as hordes of police make their intimidating presence felt in the entire DC area. This illustrates the extent to which the use of martial law tactics will be used to prevent a repeat of the mass protest which burst out in Seattle at the WTO ministerial which thoroughly embarrassed the US government and emboldened the anti-globalization people’s movement.

We firm up our resolve to continue the resistance, promote and develop the anti-imperialist and democratic struggles of the workers and oppressed peoples everywhere against the inhumane policies and acts of the multinational corporations, the international multilateral agencies and imperialist governments in their service.

We support the calls of the International League of People’s Struggle which will be founded at the end of the year 2000 to strengthen international solidarity and advance the people’s struggle against imperialist globalization.

Calls of the International League of People’s Struggle

We stand ready to fight for the following;

1. national and social liberation from imperialism and all reaction;

2. human rights in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural fields;

3. the cause of peace against wars of aggression and against nuclear and genocidal weapons;

4. workers’ rights and reduction of working hours at full pay against mass unemployment and decreasing wage levels;

5. rights of peasants, farm workers and fisherfolk against feudal and semi-feudal exploitation and oppression;

6. women’s rights against discrimination and sexual exploitation;

7. the rights of gays and lesbians against discrimination

8. children’s rights against child labor and other forms of exploitation

9. rights of indigenous people and nationalities against chauvinism and racism;

10. the rights of teachers and the youth;

11. rights and welfare of refugees and migrant workers;

12. environmental protection against plunder and pollution.

13. the right to safe and healty food free from genetic manipulation, hazardous chemicals and processes