[stop-imf] Jubilee 2000 Mobilization April 9 (fwd)

[Robert Weissman]

Jubilee 2000 USA is organizing a major event in Washington, DC for April
9 on debt cancellation.

This will informally kick off a week of action in DC on debt, structural
adjustment and the IMF/World Bank.

Robert Weissman
Essential Information=09=09=09|   Internet:=09rob@essential.org


Stand Up and Be Counted!
We need you to come to Washington and join the

JUBILEE 2000
NATIONAL MOBILIZATION

Sunday April 9, 2000
Washington, D.C.

Citizen action groups, students, people of faith, and all who care about
justice for impoverished countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia will
gather on the Mall in Washington and make their voices heard.

There will be morning religious services for those interested, followed by
music starting at 12:00 noon, a program of speakers starting at 12:30, plus
a Human Chain later in the day. Come to hear some nationally-known speakers
and entertainers (list TBA).

Be part of a massive, public witness --

=3D=3D>Demand that the World Bank, the IMF, and the U.S. Congress ACT NOW f=
or
debt cancellation for the world's poorest countries!

Stay for the Monday Lobby Day --
Meet with your representative and senators and request their commitment to
debt cancellation.

Sponsored by the Jubilee 2000/USA campaign, a coalition of national
environmental, religious, and social justice groups calling for lifting the
crushing burden of debt, through fair and accountable process, by the end o=
f
the year 2000.  [see list of sponsoring organizations at
http://www.j2000usa.org/campaign/members.html.  The AFLCIO supports the
Jubilee 2000 campaign...and this mobilization!]

For more information contact Jubilee 2000/USA at
222 East Capitol Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20003
tel. (202)783-3566

email: april9j2k@yahoo.com   www.j2000usa.org
Check the website for up-to-date action alerts!
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

What's the goal of this mobilization?

We intend to influence national and international policy and decision
makers. And we call on the U.S. public to pressure Congress and the
Administration to cancel the crushing international debt of impoverished
countries.

Proclaim Jubilee!  Cancel the debt NOW!

International debt condemns hundreds of millions of people to live in
poverty.  Debt undermines dignity and self-determination.  Debt diverts
resources from basic needs such as education, nutrition, health,  clean
water, and sanitation.  Debt leads to destruction of the environment.  Debt
creates political, social and economic instability throughout the world.

We, here in the United States, must stand in solidarity and be counted with
the children, women and men who are victims of the unjust debt. In Accra an=
d
Birmingham (UK), in Tegucigalpa, Manila, Cologne, Johannesburg and hundreds
of other communities, and now in Washington, DC, ordinary people are
standing with the poor of Africa, Latin America and Asia.  People in
indebted countries are committed to use resources freed up by debt
cancellation to reduce poverty through their own efforts.  The spirit of th=
e
Jubilee movement calls forth new relations with neighbors, nations and the
environment.

We call on our government to act in this Jubilee Year to cancel the crushin=
g
international debt of the world's impoverished countries.
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How has this campaign managed to push the issue of debt onto the radar
screens of policy makers?  One way is by putting people on the street!

Let=92s look at the ways people have taken a stand around the globe:

May, 1998 =96 70,000 people jam the streets of Birmingham, England, forming=
 a
Human Chain 6 miles long, to say DROP THE DEBT.

June 1999 =96 40,000 people link up on the streets of Cologne Germany to
demand justice for indebted nations

November, 1999 =96 30,000 people form a non-violent Human Chain in Seattle,
Washington to demand action to lift the burden of debt.  Like the Birmingha=
m
and Cologne events, this Chain involved thousands of members of local
congregations

In indebted countries there have also been large scale actions:

November, 1998 =96 2,000,000 Peruvians sign the Jubilee 2000 petition in a
space of five months, contributing to a total of over 17 million signatures
worldwide

June, 1999 -- 2,000 people formed a Human Chain in Dhaka, Bangladesh to cal=
l
for debt cancellation

October, 1999 =96 over 1 million people across Latin America take part in t=
he
Shout of the Excluded, to call attention to burden of debt and injustice

Now it=92s our turn to take a public, peaceful stand!

Stand up and be counted in Washington DC, April 9, 2000!

Bring at least five friends =96 if 5,000 people bring five friends that add=
s
up to 30,000 total!

What will it be like?

The event will educational and inspiring.  It will be peaceful, legal and
non-violent.  It will give you the boost you need to keep working on this
and other issues of global economic justice.  It will be a vital
contribution to the global movement to lift the burden of debt and demand
economic justice.

Come to Washington because:

=96 you will be moved, inspired, enlightened.  You=92ll leave with tired fe=
et,
but it will all be worth it!

=96 you will hear speeches by leaders of the Jubilee 2000 movement in the
United States and around the world

=96 you will meet people from across the US who are involved in campaign wo=
rk
for this issue

=96 you will gain ideas on how to integrate this campaign into the life of
your group

=96 you will learn about an issue that affects a billion people in Africa,
Asia and Latin America

=96 you will hear inspiring music about the campaign