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Northeast U.S. Gears Up
To Protest FTAA Summit
By Orin Langelle

April 15, 2001 --- As trade ministers from 34 countries from the western hemisphere prepare to negotiate the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) in Quebec City next weekend, anti-corporate globalization activists from the Northeast U.S. are making contingency plans if thousands of protesters are not allowed entry into Canada.

"Convergence and hospitality Centers to help people get to Canada are opening in Burlington and Derby Line, VT, Plattsburgh and Buffalo, NY and Jackman, ME," said Anne Petermann, a spokesperson for the Vermont Mobilization for Global Justice (VT-MGJ). "However, it is expected that many activists will be denied passage into Canada and Peoples' Assemblies (public forums) will convene at the various points of entry," she continued.

Anti-corporate globalization activists intend for Peoples' Assemblies to ensure that everyone will be empowered to have a voice against the FTAA whether they can cross the border or not. These directly democratic assemblies will be gatherings of concerned citizens assembled to discuss the FTAA and decide what next steps to take and how to oppose the FTAA Summit from the U.S. side of the border.

Heavy security is expected at all border crossings and in the state of Vermont alone, local, state and federal officials are working together in anticipation of the arrival of potentially thousands of people on the road to Quebec City. The VT-MGJ has been told the Vermont National Guard is on a high state of alert.

With less than a week to go before mass actions in Quebec City are to occur:

1. Monday, April 16th, Activists in Burlington, VT will march to General Dynamics, which manufactures weapons to be mounted on helicopters the U.S. is shipping to Colombia. It is widely understood that the $1.3 billion military aid package recently sent to Colombia is related to needs to stabilize the region for FTAA implementation.

2. On-Going, Educational events, including teach-ins and non-violent direct action trainings are scheduled at most of the Convergence Centers.

3. On April 19th, a caravan of hundreds of activists will leave the Burlington, VT Convergence and travel to the Akwesasne Mohawk reservation where some Mohawks have said they will open the border on their reservation to activists to cross into Canada. The activists who cross here will meet up with another caravan originating in Kingston, Ontario and head to Quebec City.

4. On April 21st, a major labor caravan from the northeast will cross in Vermont on its way to Quebec City.

5. Also on April 21st, Peoples' Assemblies and anti-FTAA rallies will occur at the borders where Convergence Centers are located.

   For further information, or how to contact media spokespeople from the various Convergence Centers in the northeast, contact Brandon Rich from the Vermont Mobilization for Global Justice (802) 862-4737 or email vmob@riseup.net -30-
   Vermont Mobilization for Global Justice
   P.O. Box 604
   Burlington, VT 05402
   (802)862-4737
   (802)862-6948 Fax
   Email: vmob@riseup.net
   www.vermontactionnetwork.org

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