From Thursday 31st January to Tuesday 5th of February, three large events collided to show the 'anti-corporate-globalisation' movement is certainly not dead! New York saw the lastest in a long series of protests against the World Economic Forum, while 3 days of protest against NATO and militarisation happened in Munich, Germany. Meanwhile on the other side of the world in Porto Alegre, Brazil, the World Social Forum saw a gathering of thousands to discuss alterative social and economic models to prove that Another World Is Possible.
| WEF (New York) / NATO (Munich) / WSF (Porto Alegre) Jan 31 - Feb 5 2002 |
Wipe Out WEF! No to NATO! Another World is Possible!
From Thursday 31st January to Tuesday 5th of February, three large events collided to show the 'anti-corporate-globalisation' movement is certainly not dead! New York saw the lastest in a long series of protests against the World Economic Forum, while 3 days of protest against NATO and militarisation happened in Munich, Germany. Meanwhile on the other side of the world in Porto Alegre, Brazil, the World Social Forum saw a gathering of thousands to discuss alterative social and economic models to prove that Another World Is Possible.
In both New York and Munich riot police attacked and arrested peaceful demonstators in a clear example of political repression. There were around 40 arrests in New York, and over 894 in Munich.
Latest Roundups and Timelines of events:
WEF Breaking News |NATO Breaking News | WSF Breaking News
Meanwhile, in the UK Solidarity Actions took place: Military conferece disrupted, London. Argentina / WEF solidarity action in London. Manchester WEF Solidarity Action - Reclaiming Trade Hall.
At the same time as thousands of peole took the streets and discussed alternatives to economic and corporate globalisation, a multitude of grass roots and alternative media projects joined forces alongside the events to provide coverage and commentary.
Listen Live: Indymedia Radio DROP broadcasting news from all events. Also see SchNEWS background on WEF and Munich, and Undercurrents coverage. BBC online debate: Globalisation: Capitalist evil or a way out of poverty?
STOP PRESS: Tuesday 5 Feb: 1 NYC IMC volunteer released, still two more awainting their release.
Sunday 3 Feb: 87 arrests in NY after police attack peaceful march. Two IMC volunteers jailed in NYC. Read a first-hand account from one released protester.
Protests Against World Economic Forum, New York: 31st jan - 4th feb
Latest Coverage: IMC New York : IMC UK Breaking News
Over 1,000 of the world's corporate leaders, along with top political and media representatives, met behind closed doors in New York City until from the 31st January until 4th February. Formed in 1971, the WEF is viewed by critics as the architect of corporate globalisation and the catalyst for the formation of the World Trade Organisation. Thousands of students, union members and activists took to the streets in what was expected to be the largest American anti-corporate globalisation demonstration since 911. Alongside a whole host of counter-conferences, meetings and workshops took place. A spoof WEF website was published and there was several online actions against the WEF. As corporate media run a smear campaign against protestors, the New York police promised a zero tolerance policy and announced a plan to enforce a law making the wearing of masks illegal.
STOP PRESS: 04.02.02 3.32 EST Thousands continue demonstrating in the streets of New York. 200 people are currently surrounded by 500 police in riot gear on 6th Avenue. Pics 1 | 2. Report.
03.02.02 The Anti-capitalist Convergence march has been attacked by police, so far 87 people arrested!
02.02.02 Quiet now, a total of around 40-50 arrests after a day when police repeatedly used excessive force against peaceful protestors and blocked even the legal demonstrations against the WEF. See in depth reports 1 2
Links: Students For Global Justice : Public Eye on Davos : Another World Is Possible :
New York Anti-Capitalist Convergence : IMC NY Guide to WEF: Text, PDF
Anti-NATO Protests, Munich Germany: 1st - 3rd feb
Latest Coverage see: IMC Germany : IMC UK Breaking News
More than 7000 people took to the streets in Munich, Germany, on February 2nd despite a total ban on all demonstrations. A variety of groups and organisations from Munich and other parts of Germany, including peace, antifascist, socialist, autonomist and student groups, protested against the Nato-sponsored "Conference on Security Policy", which brought government members from all Nato states together with high-ranking army officials and war experts to discuss "security" and "peace" issues - i.e. lay out plans for future military interventions, invent new enemies, discuss costly military programmes. The city council had attempted to silence any criticism of the meeting by declaring all protest illegal. Thousands of police attempted to block demonstrations and arrested 894 people in total. Despite massive respression, large demonstrations and rallies took place from Thursday evening until Sunday. More...
STOP PRESS: 03.02.02 Over 894 Arrests! (21 still in custody) No protest was left untouched by a police force determined not to allow any protest at all. Despite this 7000+ people had taken to the streets defying the police actions and demonstrated.
- 20:57 Hundreds arrested after riot police repeatedly block protestors.
- 15:00 5000 people are now demonstrating in Munich despite a ban on all protests - police try to block them - many arrests!
Links: Call for action : Carnival Against NATO : Stop NATO
World Social Forum, Porto Alegre Brazil: 31st Jan - 5th Feb
Latest Coverage See: IMC Brazil : IMC UK Breaking News
The WSF was established in 2001 as a counter-WEF-summit by groups and movements of civil society including left wing parties, workers unions and NGOs that are opposed to neoliberalism and any form of imperialism. Forum organisers define the WSF as a process and an open meeting place for reflective thinking, democratic debate of global issues, formulation of proposals, and co operation for effective action. At the same time several local anti-globalisation groups are questioning the legitimacy of the WSF, calling it economically reformist, politically traditionalist and socially conformist, and are calling for alternative actions and for the creation of alternative fora to be held. Links: World Social Forum : Globalize This : Commondreams : Port Alegre 2002 : Chomsky on WSF
