The FTAA+10 commemorates the events of ten years past on the streets of Miami, when anti-globalization activists were brutally repressed by the Miami police force. The FTAA+10 is also shining a light on the Transpacific Partnership, the latest and by far the most secretive and oppressive free trade agreement in world history.
Our schedule of events actually begins Friday, November 8th, at Sweat Records, for a screening of the documentary "The Miami Model," which tells the tale of the original 2003 convergence.Puppetistas are also planning a puppet parade for FTAA weekend and are doing a series of puppet, sign, and banner workshops to prepare. Join the puppet parade and find out when and where these workshops are scheduled here.
Fort Lauderdale Food Not Bombs is putting together a special food sharing to kick off FTAA weekend at Government Center in downtown Miami on Friday, November 15th, at 7 pm. Bring a dish if you like...but more importantly, bring your stories, because we're putting a special call out for those that experienced the 2003 FTAA protests and other victims of police brutality to tell their stories while we're there.
Perhaps most importantly, we'll be marching from Government Center at 1 pm on Saturday, November 16th, to commemorate the events of 2003 and also to demonstrate resistance to the Transpacific Partnership. Bring signs and your spirits, or join in the puppet parade, and then stick around for music and speakers afterwards. If you can't make it, keep an eye out for solidarity actions online or in your own part of the world. There just happens to be a national call to action to stop the TPP for this same time and date, so find out more there. (We do not have any affiliation, nor do we endorse, the organization coordinating this particular campaign.)
Finally, we will be wrapping up FTAA+10 weekend with a panel discussion on free trade and globalization on Sunday, November 17th. Our speakers include activists who experienced the 2003 FTAA protests as well as persons knowledgeable on the disastrous economic effects of free trade policy as well as its impact on civil liberties.The Most Important Way You Can Help:
There is still much everyone can do to make sure that the legacy of the Miami FTAA police riots is not forgotten. Please send invites and share our events with individuals and groups who can join us or support us in other ways. Educate yourself and others about the Transpacific Partnership online. Develop resistance to free trade policy in your own communities.
We'll have more information on what more people can do to fight the TPP in the future...for now we'll see everyone in Miami!
