[stop-imf] Come to Washington &/or ENDORSE April Mobilization (fwd)

[Robert Weissman]

50 Years is Enough
March 9, 2000

(This is an excerpt of a longer letter)

Comrades in the Struggle for Global Justice,

We write to update and or inform you about what promises to be the
largest, most exciting demonstrations against the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) and World Bank ever on U.S. soil.

In the wake of the massive actions at the Seattle meeting of the World
Trade Organization in November/December 1999, activists in North America
have turned their attention to the other international institutions that
make the rules for the global economy.  We are very pleased that the
spirit of solidarity which prevailed in Seattle is even more in evidence
now.  We are focused on post-Seattle organizing for the IMF & World Bank
semi-annual meetings to harness and employ the tremendous momentum for
debt cancellation, fair trade, and justice within global economic
relations. We are organizing to bring scores of activists to Washington,
DC from April 9 for the Jubilee 2000/USA mobilization through April 17 for
the semi-annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary
Fund (IMF). We expect many U.S. activists to come to Washington to protest
the impact of two institutions - the IMF and World Bank - which have
little direct impact on U.S. lives.  It is a measure of the success of
years of campaigning by organizations like yours in the South, and of the
educational work that has been done in the North (not least in Seattle)
that people all over this continent are very excited about continuing to
challenge the deep inequities of the global economy on the occasion of the
Spring meetings of the World Bank and IMF.

We are planning a week of activities - trainings in non-violent protest
and direct action techniques, "teach-ins" on the impact of the
Washington-based international institutions, lobbying of members of
Congress on economic and environmental issues.  The week will culminate in
a massive direct action to send a clear message to the Finance Ministers
and Central Bank Governors who run the IMF (as well as the heads of the
IMF, World Bank, and WTO).  That message will be that the people, whether
in the South or the North, will no longer stand for the anti-democratic
processes and anti-human policies of these institutions.

A coalition called the MOBILIZATION FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE has been formed to
coordinate the action.  Its many working groups are hard at work on making
the week a huge success.  Information is readily available to those with
access to the web on the Internet - they can visit www.a16.org, which is
being constantly updated.  Those who do not have Internet access can
contact the 50 Years Is Enough Network (see below).

=2E..

Pambere ne Chimurenga! (Onward with the struggle),


Njoki Njoroge Njeh=FB
Director, 50 Years Is Enough Network

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[This is the "official" call for endorsements by the Mobilization for Globa=
l
Justice.  It is followed by an ENDORSEMENT & COMMITMENT FORM which we
encourage all supporting ORGANIZATIONS to fill out.  Please return it to:
a16endorse@yahoo.com <mailto:a16endorse@yahoo.com>.  DO NOT SEND RESPONSES
TO THE LISTSERV!]

MOBILIZATION FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE

Thousands in Direct Action Protests - Washington April 16-17!
Week of Activities Begins with CONVERGENCE on Saturday, April 8
 Organizational Endorsements and Support Needed Now=09ENDORSE!!  COMMIT!!

This form is also available on the web at - <www.a16.org>

ORGANIZATION:

CONTACT PERSON/PEOPLE:

ADDRESS:

PHONE:

FAX:

E-MAIL:

WEBSITE:

*********************
ENDORSEMENT
On the occasion of the first meetings of the governing bodies of the
International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in the 21st century, we call
for the immediate suspension of the policies and practices that have caused
widespread poverty and suffering among the world's peoples and damage to th=
e
world's environment. We assert the responsibility of these institutions,
together with the World Trade Organization, for an unjust world economic
system.

We issue this call in the name of global justice, in solidarity with the
peoples of the Global South struggling for survival and dignity in the face
of unjust, imperialistic economic policies.  Only when the coercive powers
of the international financial institutions are rescinded shall governments
be accountable first and foremost to the will of their peoples for equitabl=
e
economic development.  Only when international institutions are no longer
controlled by the wealthiest governments for the purpose of dictating polic=
y
to the poorer ones shall all peoples and nations be able to forge bonds -
economic and otherwise - based on mutual respect and the common needs of th=
e
planet and its inhabitants.  Only when the well-being of all, including the
most vulnerable people and ecosystems, is given priority over corporate
profits shall we achieve genuine sustainable development and create a world
of justice, equality, and peace.

___ Our organization endorses this statement and a call for its expression
at the time of the April 2000 meetings of the World Bank and International
Monetary Fund (IMF).

___Our organization also endorses the Mobilization for Global Justice, a
week of educational events and non-violent protests which aim to realize
these principles. This is not an endorsement of any specific tactics or
actions but rather of the peoples' mass mobilization to bring the World Ban=
k
and IMF to account.

*********************
_____ We will be committing staff time to do the following (spread the word
locally, organize a caravan to Washington, produce materials, conduct
popular education on the global economy, etc.):

____ We will contribute the following materials toward props for the
demonstration or other support for the activities and people involved:

____ We can pay for the following services (e.g. printing, communications
equipment, etc.).  Please specify approximate amount and service:

___ We can make a financial contribution to the Mobilization for Global
Justice coalition. Please make a tax-deductible contribution to our fiscal
sponsor Alliance for Global Justice.

___ We are contributing $1000 or more and/or dedicating over 25% of total
staff or member time from March 1 to organizing for the April mobilizations=
,
and would like our name to appear on promotional material, the website
(www.a16.org), etc. as a sponsor.


RETURN THIS FORM TO:

<a16endorse@yahoo.com>

50 Years Is Enough Network/Alliance for Global Justice
1247 E Street, S.E.
Washington, DC  20003  USA
fax: 202/544-9359


P.S.  To stay informed about plans for the April mobilizations, check out
the website - www.a16.org - and join the e-mail listserv by sending a blank
e-mail message to a16-international-planning-subscribe@egroups.com
<mailto:a16-international-planning-subscribe@egroups.com>.