Where the Wealthy Collude: The World Economic Forum
Recent News
Davos, compte rendu (Jan. 26, 2003 / Switz. Indymedia) Manifestation contre le WEF du 25 janvier 2003
Info on Davos, January 25-28, 2003:Wipe Out WEF 2003
Austria Economic Summit Protested (Sept. 15, 2002 / AP) 5000 gather in Salzburg to march against the WEF...
New York, Jan/Feb 2002
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an exclusive, un-elected, invite-only organization; it is a 'think tank' and a driving force behind the global economy.
Incorporated since 1971 as a foundation, the WEF claims to be "independent, impartial and not-for-profit, tied to no political, partisan or national interests." It has a consultative status with the United Nations.
Members include: 1000 CEOs from the world's largest multi-national corporations. Academics, trade-ministers, heads of state, and elite media representatives may also attend by exclusive invitation. To become a member of the 'club', a corporation must have assets of over $1 billion (U.S.) and must pay the current annual membership fees (26500 Swiss Francs = about $25,000 Can.). To become a 'sponsor' - which means getting to have a say in writing the agenda of the meeting - corporations and individuals must pay $250,000 US (see: Where the great, the good and the angry converge).
According to the WEF their meeting is considered the global summit that defines the political, economic, and business agenda for the year. It allows the men behind the richest and most powerful corporations in the world to mingle with state trade representatives, and to make business deals and to determine global political and economic policies.
One example of the WEF's powerful influence upon the political, economic, and social landscape is the crucial role it played in initiating the World Trade Organization (WTO). At its 1982 annual meeting in Davos, the WEF brought together cabinet members of major countries with heads of international organizations, such as the World Bank, IMF, and GATT. This special informal gathering of trade ministers from 17 countries organized the launch of the Uruguay Round, which laid the foundations of the WTO. (For a more in-depth look at who makes up the WEF, check out: "Where is the World Economic Forum coming from?")
This year's annual WEF forum was moved from Davos, Switzerland, to New York City for a variety of reasons (see: Davos forum shifts to New York). The meetings will (mostly) be held at the Waldorf Astoria from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5.
Almost immediately after the WEF announced its intention to come to New York, calls to action began to circulate, and organizing efforts were soon initiated to counter the unwelcome arrival of this bastion of corporate power. A coalition of groups have been working on awareness-raising efforts (teach-ins, publication of fliers and pamphlets, etc.), conferences, and, of course, preparatory planning for the mass protests of resistance against the WEF and what it represents.
Go to NYC Indymedia - for full, non-corporate coverage of the WEF protests
The Waldorf-Astoria - Bastion of the Elite
The present Waldorf-Astoria Hotel was built in 1929-1931 as a successor to the old Waldorf-Astoria hotel which was demolished in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building. The presidential suite (priced at $6,500 a night) at the 35th floor has been the traditional staying place of the President of the United States while in New York City. Built above the railway tracks leading to Grand Central Terminal, the hotel has its own underground railroad siding and an elevator for direct entrance from private railway cars (see: Secrets of Grand Central Station). Here is a more recent photo of the building.
The hotel was built by the great-grandsons of John Jakob Astor (1763-1848) - the "richest man in America". Astor made his early fortune in the fur trade, established a large shipping concern, and later settled into a long and tremendously lucrative career snapping up Manhattan real estate (see Manhattan's Pig for Property) . Astor was particularly known for his ruthless dealings. His chief scam was to issue long term leases to settlers. "The leases were long term but always foresaw the reversion of the land including all improvements to the Astor family. Thus, the Astors got valuable improvements in addition the the yearly rents at the end of each lease. This system contributed to increase the Astor fortune manifold, while the families of the occupants eventually lost the fruits of the labour of their forebears who had invested much into the development of these properties."
Although John Jakob Astor I built a very early Manhattan hotel, the Waldorf-Astoria of today derives from the combined venture which grandsons William Waldorf Astor and John Jacob Astor IV embarked on in the 1890's. By the time the construction on the original Waldorf-Astoria building began, William Waldorf Astor had already left the U.S. for England, declaring that "America (was) no longer a fit place for a gentleman to live." Using the influence of his British newspaper interests, he became a Viscount and lived primarily off the fruits of his vast American wealth. As for John Jacob Astor IV, aside from his pots of money, he was perhaps best known as the man who cut up a lifejacket on the Titanic to show his 19 year old wife what they were made of, and then later was refused a request to accompany her on a lifeboat (they were reserved for women and children). He perished aboard the Titanic, but the discovery of over $4000 dollars in his pockets when his body was recovered has fueled rumors that he unsuccessfully tried to bribe his way aboard a lifeboat.
John Jakob Astor (1763-1848)
William Waldorf Astor (1848-1919)
News Updates
Interview with Eric Laursen - Eric Laursen is an active member of the Another World is Possilbe Coalition (recorded at CKUT studios, Montreal, Jan. 22, 2002)
Hacktivist anti-WEF - whether you are going to nyc or not, you can participate in this collective jamming of the wef online information structure
- New York Stages a Peaceful Protest Against the World Economic Forum (Feb. 6, 2002 / CorpWatch)
- US anti-globalization movement alive and well (Feb. 6, 2002 / Alternatives) - by Paul Reeve
- Arresting Developments (Feb. 6, 2002 / Rabble.ca) - by Jaggi Singh
- Labor Presents Its Case to WEF (Feb. 6, 2002 / Village Voice)
- The WEF's Corporate Moguls Debate Their Role as Unelected World Leaders(Feb. 5, 2002 / Village Voice)
- Davos Go Home (Feb. 4, 2002 / Forbes) - here is a Forbes article which, somewhat surprisingly, thoroughly debunks the idea that Davos is good for NYC
- WEF Speakers Assail U.S. Policies (Feb. 4, 2002 / AP)
- WEF Update: An Eyewitness Account of Police Aggression - (Feb. 3, 2002 / Indymedia) New York police harassed peaceful protests throughout Saturday's mobilizations against the World Economic Forum, in a display of police aggression many believe was designed to deny marchers legal access to their rally point at the WEF meetings -- and punish them for expressing dissent.
- 36 Are Arrested, but Demonstrations Remain Peaceful (Feb. 3, 2002 / NYTimes) - posted at nyc indymedia
- Forum Protesters Gather in NYC (Feb. 2, 2002 / AP)
- Cyber Assault Hits Global Leaders' Summit (Feb. 2, 2002 / Reuters) - report on successful hacktivist attack
- New York Shops Say Economic Forum Bad for Business (Feb. 2, 2002 / Reuters) - this article underscores how the influx of money to New York that WEF organizers are so eager to point to is going primarily to a few posh hotels and restaurants. The average street level business simply sees their tax money being spent on over-the-top security.
- Forum Foes Hold Peaceful Protests (Feb. 1, 2002 / AP)
- Solidarity in New York (Jan. 31, 2002 / Rabble.ca) - by Jaggi Singh
- Keepers of the Flame - (Jan. 30, 2002 / VillageVoice) article focusses on anarchism as the hub of the movement. Offers a general portrait of present day anarchists, particularly of Warcry.
- For City, Good Buzz May Be Best Payoff of Economic Forum - (Jan. 30, 2002 / NYTimes) this article makes the usual claim that this elite gathering will be 'good' for NYC economically, quoting a few impressive figures of net gain, but the difference is that it actually goes into details about the calculations. A bit of critical deconstruction reveals that the supposed public benefits are mainly a case of vague and wishful thinking.
- Groups Promise Peaceful Protests - (Jan. 30, 2002 / NY Newsday) shallow, but not too biased. Includes a couple of Starhawk quotes
- Davos In New York - (Jan. 30, 2002 / Forbes) the article starts off with tough talk, waxing reminiscent of Teddy Roosevelt, as police commissioner, itching "to crack a few anti-capitalist skulls" in front of the old Waldorf (in 1897). But once the reactionary credentials are presented, it moves into a prescriptive tone, advising the WEF delegates to get moving on the 'giving globalization a human face' agenda, with the implication being: ignore the protesters at your own peril.
- Security Cordon Around Global Economic Meeting - (Jan. 30, 2002 / Reuters) excerpt: "Even a U.S. citizen needed a passport to get to the sidewalk in front of the Waldorf-Astoria." But doesn't this represent a fundamental transgression of citizens' rights to move around freely in public space? Aren't people angry that their rights are being curtailed so that a bunch of rich industrialists can enjoy cocktails? Excerpt: "It was fine. It made me feel better to be honest.'' (quote from an employee working in the area).
- Anti-Globalization Protesters Plan Peaceful NYC Demonstration - (Jan 30, 2002 / ABC) article that recycles the same old violence issues. Listed here for no good reason.
- Basics, not hype, rule for consumer CEOs at WEF - (Jan. 30, 2002 / Reuters) fluff article to keep those with their noses buried in the business section under the illusion that it is all about pulling us out of a recession and making the economy grow
- NYC Braces for Possible Summit Violence - (Jan. 30, 2002 / ABC)
- Gap Targeted for NY Protests During Forum - (Jan. 30, 2002 / Reuters)
- Huge Police Presence Is Readied for World Economic Forum - (Jan. 29, 2002 / NYTimes) - another article playing up the terrorism theme to justify intimidation
- NYC Newspapers Smear Activists Ahead of WEF Protests - (Jan. 28, 2002 / FAIR)
- Cacerolazo Bloc Call to Action! - (Jan. 28, 2002 / NYC Indymedia)
- NY Prepares for World Forum Protests - (Jan. 28, 2002 / AP) - police "plan to strictly enforce an 1845 state law barring groups of demonstrators from wearing masks". Some protesters have already reacted with calls for everyone to wear masks in response.
- Activists start meetings on globalization (Jan. 28, 2002 / Earth Times) - report on the preparatory committee for the New York City Social Forum
- Anarchy Has an Image Problem - (Jan. 28, 2002 / New York Times) - yes, anarchists have an image problem - largely because of the way they have been stereotyped and villified in the mainstream media. And yet this article starts out by doing what? - by focussing on the specifically post-911 NYC dilemma represented by the media role-casting of 'hero cops vs. violent anarchists'. Unfortunate - because in the rest of the article, the author has made some effort to get beyond mere stereotypes, interviewing various anarchists and asking them about their vision. All in all, coming from the NYTimes, this is encouraging...
- More than just cocktail parties for this year's WEF - (Jan. 27, 2002 / Reuters) this article offers a succinct version of this year's WEF agenda. It also makes clear that the main reason the elite flock to this meeting is to take advantage of the opportunities for collusion and backroom dealing.
- Economic Forum Moves to Manhattan - (Jan. 27, 2002 / New York Times) - outright WEF propaganda, this article nevertheless has some interesting details (i.e. lists a few notable guests, and documents some of the strategies used in attempts to coopt protester opposition)
- What's in an Economic Forum? Visitors, Police and Protests - (Jan. 27, 2002 / NYT)
- N.Y. Tightens Security for Economic Forum Meeting - (Jan. 27, 2002 / Reuters)
- Rich, Powerful Flock to New York for Economic Meet - (Jan. 27, 2002 / Reuters) - more corporate-sponsored WEF cheerleading
- City on Alert for Days of Rage - (Jan. 27, 2002 / New York Daily News) - a mainstream haze of sensationalist and reactionary sentiment
- Forum To Show Solidarity With NYC - (Jan. 26, 2002 / AP) excerpt: "Authorities hope the new sensitivity to violence, particularly in New York, will help keep street protests relatively calm." Or in less diplomatic terms, authorities hope to use the trauma experienced by New Yorkers as an excuse to supress the expression of political dissent.
- Economic Forum to Return to Davos - (Jan. 23, 2002 / AP) apparently it's back to Davos in 2003...
- Law of the Fist (Jan. 23, 2002 / Global Policy Forum) "...Global anti-globalization protesters, meet globo cops: John Timoney [former notorious Philly police chief, now CEO of Beau Dietl Associates, a private security firm], New York police commissioner Ray Kelly, Kroll bioterror expert Jerome Hauer, Madison Square Garden GM Michael Julian, Secret Service special-agent-in-charge Steve Carey, Diplomatic Security Service regional boss Patricia Kelly, Waldorf security chief Sal Caccavale. These are just a few of the resources New York has drawn upon. Timoney was bloodied in Philadelphia; Hauer was side by side with the cops in Melbourne; Ray Kelly, well, Ray Kelly led the marine contingent in Haiti, ran U.S. Customs, and has returned for a second tour of duty as New York's police commissioner. They embody the blue-collared, multi-ethnic centurions who will keep order at the Waldorf when the conference begins...."
- World Economic Forum Protest Planned - (Jan. 12, 2002 / Associated Press) surprisingly good article
- City Girds for Protests at Economic Summit Meeting - (Jan. 11, 2002 / New York Times)
FLIERS / POSTERS
- ANSWER flier (in pdf format)
- Zapatista Block produced flier (in pdf format)
- More fliers and images from the anti-capitalist convergence agitprop
- Poster in .jpg format
- Poster in .pdf format
Logistics (Housing, Transport, etc.)
Maps - with details on street closures during demonstrations
A.N.S.W.E.R. - A.N.S.W.E.R.'s logistics section is very thorough, covering everything from housing, food, transport, medical, legal, and more...
Ride Board - from anotherworldispossible coalition
Housing Board - from anotherworldispossible coalition
New York City People's Law Collective - for legal advice and support
Black Cross - First Aid for radicals: activist medical training, including information sheets on pepper spray, tear gas, and more
Manhattan Maps - with Waldorf-Astoria highlighted
Mobilization Links
A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism) - great logistics resources, and more...
Another World Is Possible Coalition - Comprehensive site with plenty of straight dope on the WEF and some nice graphics
Reclaim the Streets! - Feb. 2, 11:30 A.M. at Columbus Circle (59th and Broadway)
Students For Global Justice- organizers of a four-day conference that will comprise of two days of workshops and panels, from Jan. 31st to Feb. 1stAt Columbia University in New York City. Housing can be arranged... see site for details.
The Public Eye on Davos - alternative to the WEF - International Conference: "The Public Eye on Davos" - scheduled to be held from January 31 to February 3 at the United Nations Church Center (777 UN Plaza, Manhattan, New York)
Anti-Capitalist Convergence New York
Anti-Capitalist Convergence - D.C.
Davos on the Hudson - call for action in NYC
Juso Davos AG - in German
Davos 2002 - in German
DADAvos - in German
Perspective on Davos - in German
San Francisco Labor Council (AFL-CIO) passes resolution supporting the Feb. anti-WEF actions
Anti-WEF Resources
NYC Indymedia Guide to the WEF and NYC protests
A Brief History of the World Economic Forum - by James Goodman. This is excellent background material, offering both a historical sketch of the WEF, an overview of the current phase of the neoliberal programme, and an analysis of how the WEF fits into the current picture.
World Social Forum - January 31 - February 5, Porto Alegre, Brazil... the so-called 'anti-Davos' summit...
Past WEF/Davos Protests
Auf Nach Davos - a Davos 2001 protest coordination page. Also, here are a couple of links about the 2001 'hacktivist' attack in which confidential data on 1,400 present/past WEF members was stolen:
Melbourne S11 - the WEF met in Melbourne on September 11, 2000. This site was a central coordinating hub, and many pertinent articles are still available ...
Protest at Davos 2000 - notes from the Davos 2000 protest
Mood Swings at Davos - article on the 1999 meeting in Davos; also contains some interesting background info.
Anti-WEF Fiction
Davos: Everyone is Coming Down- by Daniel de Roulet