[asia-apec 1429] OPPOSE THE USE OF MARTIAL LAW TACTICS IN STOPPING THE PEOPLE’S PROTESTS AGAINST IMPERIALIST GLOBALIZATION!

[BAYAN]

People’s Assembly Against IMF-WB and Imperialist Globalization
Washington DC, USA
STATEMENT
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