Anti-Capitalist Action Against the G8 - ‘a call to action - calgary, alberta, 'canada'’
On June 26 and 27, the major economic, political and military powers of the world are meeting in the foothills of Alberta, Canada. The G8 leaders, protected from any displays of dissent by the largest ‘security’ operation in Canada’s history, are meeting to plan the continuance of capitalist and imperialist exploitation. The language used by the G8 speaks of strengthening global economic growth, building a new partnership for Africa’s development and fighting terrorism.
The global economic growth that the G8 serves to create is based on the exploitation of the majority of the world’s peoples and the environment for the profit and power of a few. The capitalist system, now rigorously defended and advanced by the G8, came to dominance through the enslavement of millions of African people, the genocide of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, the oppression of women and the exploitation of workers and the environment.
Africa has been exploited by the global economy for 500 years through slavery, colonialism, Structural Adjustment Programs, neo-colonialism and imperialism. The wealth of G8 nations is a direct result of these policies and progams. This year the G8 will present NEPAD (the New Partnership for Africa’s Development) which talks about poverty alleviation and equal partnerships. This language merely serves the interests of the G8 as it quells dissent to their neo-colonialist policies. NEPAD's neo-liberal agenda will further entrench the exploitation of African people while serving the interests of the global economic elite.
The ‘war on terrorism’, being waged by G8 nations, is a continuance of a centuries old pattern of state violence to serve the political and economic interests of an elite. The threat of ‘terrorism’ is being used by G8 nations to militarize and oppress the world, under the guise of defending freedom. Western powers invade and dominate nations of the global South, from Afghanistan to the Phillipines, Iraq to Columbia. In the G8 countries themselves, people of colour are targetted by racist immigration and ‘anti- terrorism’ legislation. Borders are becoming more militarized and new powers have been granted to governments to repress and control oppressed peoples and political movements.
Here in Canada all levels of government, especially those in 'british columbia', 'ontario' and in 'alberta', continue to mount attacks on our communities. Cutbacks to social services, environmental devastation, attacks on aboriginal communities, increasing poverty and homelessness are some of the results of these government’s economic policies which only serve the interests of big business and the rich. These are the local effects of capitalist globalization, which is embodied and advanced by the IMF, World Bank, the G8, and treaties like the WTO, NAFTA and FTAA.
Across the world, people are rising up in resistance to capitalist globalization. Inspiring movements in the global South, exemplified by the rebellions of millions in Argentina, Ecuador and Bolivia, lead the fight back against global capitalism and imperialism. Hundreds of thousands took to the streets in Genoa, Italy last July in protest against the G8. The state responded with police brutality, including the murder of activist Carlo Giuliani.
The Calgay Anti-Capitalist Collective and Anti-Capitalist Edmonton, in solidarity with movements worldwide, are calling activists, organizations and affinity groups from ‘b.c.’, ‘alberta’, ‘saskatchewan’, ‘manitoba’, ‘yukon’, ‘north west territories’, nunavut, and the northwestern ‘united states’, to come to Calgary to oppose the G8 and global capitalism. Calgary is the closest major city to the Kananaskis Summit, and is home to the corporate headquarters of many transnational corporations responsible for the exploitation of Africa and the global South, as well as many other organizations and companies that support or profit from global and local oppression and exploitation. We encourage people outside of the region or who cannot come to Calgary, to plan and take part in solidarity actions in their communities, using the opening day of the 2002 G8 Summit as a day of action against capitalist globalization and war.
June 21-28 Convergence
From June 21-28 we are organizing a convergence to plan and coordinate actions in Calgary during the G8 Summit. Spokescouncils will take place each day, as well as workshops, panel discussions and other education events. Affinity groups and individuals are encouraged to come prepared to share skills, ideas, and to plan together.
June 25th - Showdown at the Ho-down!
On June 25, the City of Calgary is hosting a 'western themed' party, funded by corporations and business lobbyists, to showcase the city to the delegates of the G8 and the international media. CACC and ACE are organizing our own party, in solidarity with the poor and oppressed people of Calgary and ‘alberta’ to disrupt the facade of the 'alberta advantage' and the racist imagery of cavalier/cowboy capitalism. We intend to expose the other side of Calgary and alberta's glowing image: the growing epidemic of homelessness, incidents of brutality and racism through it's police force, the handover of wild spaces and endangered ecosystems to extraction industries, government attacks on workers, women, social programs, people of colour, aboriginal communities and more.
June 26th - Affinity Group Actions Against the G8!
On June 26, the opening day of the Kananaskis G8 summit, CACC and ACE will be taking part in the actions organized by the larger anti-corporate globalization coalition, offering support to affinity group actions and respecting a diversity of tactics, while aiming to ensure the safety of participants. A snake march is planned, and CACC and ACE are providing a list of local corporate head offices, G8 country consulates and other institutions and companies that profit off of exploitation and oppression, to ensure affinity groups can come prepared for many creative manifestations of resistance.
For more information or to endorse the actions:
http://ack.struggle.ca
calgaryacc@yahoo.com
ace@struggle.ca