CALL-OUT FOR A COORDINATING MEETING/SPOKESCOUNCIL TO PREPARE DIRECT ACTIONS IN APRIL 2001 AS WELL AS THE CARNIVAL AGAINST CAPITALISM ON APRIL 20, 2001 (A20) IN QUEBEC CITY

WHO? Representatives of affinity groups, student associations, mobilization committees, community organizations, unions and collectives opposed to the Summit of the Americas and capitalist globalization from Quebec, Ontario, the Northeast USA and beyond ...

WHERE? Quebec City

WHEN?: Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25, 2001 (arrivals on Friday, March 23)

HOSTS: The Summit of the Americas Welcoming Committee (CASA) of Quebec City, and the Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC) of Montreal

Aiming to coordinate actions in April, and especially the Carnival Against Capitalism on April 20 (the opening day of the Summit of the Americas), the Summit of the Americas Welcoming Committee (CASA) of Quebec City and the Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC) in Montreal invite representatives of affinity groups opposed to the FTAA and the Summit of the Americas to meet on March 24-25 in Quebec City. This will be the first of ongoing spokescouncils leading up to the April 20 Day of Action in Quebec City.

During the Consulta convened by CASA and CLAC this past January 27-28, involving more than 300 participants from diverse regions of Canada and the USA, many organizers and activists requested another meeting in order to follow-up from the Consulta, and to specifically coordinate direct action efforts for April. Unlike the Consulta, the upcoming spokescouncil will focus particularly on actions in April.

The March 24-25 spokescouncil will be another opportunity to undertake an "activist tour" of the city as well as to get logistical information (CASA is now working jointly with OQP2001 in Quebec City on logistical matters such as housing and food). Importantly, it will allow us to collectively determine action plans for April in Quebec City.

The March 24-25 spokescouncil is being convened based on the principles of the CASA and CLAC (attached below), which includes a respect for a diversity of tactics. This spokescouncil is also based on the action calendar of CASA and CLAC that includes April 20 as a Day of Action against the FTAA and the Summit of the Americas.

The purpose of the spokescouncil, therefore, will be to define and coordinate actions in April based on a general agreement with the CASA and CLAC principles and Day of Action. We are hoping to strengthen anti-capitalist opposition to the FTAA and the Summit of the Americas while building solidarity between movements. Our aim is to disrupt, to the maximum extent possible, the holding of the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City.

More info on the spokescouncil will be forthcoming in the upcoming days. Food, housing and childcare will be provided, but we ask that you provide your own transportation to and from Quebec City. In order to encourage a more widespread and diverse participation of anti-authoritarian and anti-capitalist groups, we also ask that you consider subsidies for speakers who might not otherwise attend the spokescouncil from your area.

To register, or for more info, please e-mail a20quebec@hotmail.com or phone 514-526-8946.

"It didn't start in Seattle, and it isn't going to stop in Quebec City!"

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Summit of the Americas Welcoming Committee (CASA) -- Quebec City
(CASA : le Comite d'Accueil du Sommet des Ameriques)
GOALS AND PRINCIPLES (unofficial translation from the French)

Next April 2001, 34 heads of state will be meeting in Quebec City with the goal of creating a free-trade zone that will extend from one end of the Americas to the other -- the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Accelerating both social and ecological degradation -- these leaders aim to extend the reach of capitalism, subjecting our lives to the domination of the commodity economy. In the face of this systematic dispossession of our political power, resistance is essential. This April 2001, a "welcoming committee" will be will waiting for them.

In the absence of a grassroots, radical and anti-capitalist opposition to the Summit of the Americas and the FTAA in Quebec City, we propose the creation of the Summit of the Americas Welcoming Committee (CASA). This coalition of individuals, much like the CLAC (The Anti-Capitalist Convergence in Montreal), comes together on the following principles:

-- Anti-Capitalist

In opposition to the growing tentacles of capitalist globalization, the Summit of the Americas Welcoming Committee (CASA) aims to create an anti-capitalist platform for discussion and action. No matter what form it has taken in history (liberal, statist, mercantile, neo-liberal, or even "with a human face") capitalism has always been about the domination of commodities over individuals. Following the logic of profits, the capitalist system monopolizes all social space, reducing human beings to simply producers/consumers, much like the environment becomes only a multitude of resources ready for exploitation.

-- Anti-Patriarchy

From its origins, the capitalist system was founded on patriarchal domination. Social relationships have been interwoven by this centuries-old ideology that affects all aspects of our lives. This ideological system creates a global system of masculine-based tyranny. When even the existence of the ideology and practice of feminism is more and more put into question, we reaffirm that only a full understanding of structural oppression will allow us to envisage a society that is radically equal.

-- Refusal of Hierarchy

It's clear that that such a project, radically equal, can only come about in the absence of hierarchical dynamics. We don't just denounce all forms of servitude and exploitation of individuals, groups and peoples, but we believe in putting into practice this basic principle within resistance groups themselves and in our day-to-day activities. Hence, CASA offers a radical opposition to the Summit of the Americas and similar processes by organizing in an anti-authoritarian manner. Bringing together individuals, the Welcoming Committee is structured around a democratic, open and decisional general assembly. Anyone in accord with the values and principles of CASA are urged to actively participate in accord with their respective affinities.

-- Autonomy

Aiming to create as many links as possible, with the goal of strengthening networks of resistance, CASA is autonomous of all forms of authority (parties, unions, etc.). We refuse to organize our actions in view of its eventual mass media impact, which we consider to be a form of disempowerment and subjection.

-- Non-reformist

It is within the perspective of a radical transformation of society that CASA adopts a confrontational attitude and rejects reformist alternatives such as lobbying within the framework of negotiations of free trade accords. We regard these strategies as not being able to have a positive impact, and we exclude use of these types of anti-democratic processes.

-- Diversity of Tactics

Respecting a diversity of tactics, CASA supports the use of a variety of creative initiatives, ranging from popular education to direct action.

In supporting these principles, the Summit of the Americas Welcoming Committee aims to build a radical and resolute opposition to capitalism, and to its lackeys who will be meeting in Quebec City to negotiate the FTAA. The Summit of the Americas will be held in the middle of a Carnival of Resistance that will converge various social movements, and in which CASA intends to play an active role. While waiting to see capitalism crushed by the blows of a new revolutionary movement, CASA intends to derail the FTAA and unhinge the power of the leaders of the Americas. Anyone in agreement with these principles, and who wish to prepare a "warm and thoughtful welcoming," are encouraged to get involved.

temporary e-mail: la_casa2001@hotmail.com

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The Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC) -- Montreal
(CLAC: La Convergence des luttes anti-capitalistes)
BASIS OF UNITY (translation from the French)

1. The Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC in French) is opposed to capitalism. We fundamentally reject a social and economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and exchange. We reject a system driven by an exploitative logic that sees human beings as human capital, ecosystems as natural resources, and culture as simply a commodity. We reject the idea that the world is only valuable in terms of profit, competition and efficiency.

2. The CLAC also rejects the ideology of neo-liberalism, whereby corporations and investors are exempt from all political and social measures that interfere with their so-called "success".

3. The CLAC is anti-imperialist, opposed to patriarchy, and denounces all forms of exploitation and oppression. We assert a worldview based on the respect of our differences and the autonomy of groups, individuals and peoples. Our objective is to globalize our networks of resistance to corporate rule.

4. Respecting a diversity of tactics, the CLAC supports the use of a variety of creative initiatives, ranging between popular education to direct action.

5. The CLAC is autonomous, decentralized and non-hierarchical. We encourage the involvement of anyone who accepts this statement of principles. We also encourage the participation of all individuals in working groups, in accord with their respective political affiliations.

6. With regards to the Summit of the Americas (April 2001) and the negotiations of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), the CLAC adopts a confrontational attitude and rejects reformist alternatives such as lobbying which cannot have a major impact on anti-democratic processes. We intend to shut down the Summit of the Americas and to turn the FTAA negotiations into a non-event.

To get more info about the March 24-25 spokescouncil, or to register, please e-mail a20quebec@hotmail.com