Dear RN,
As many of you may already know, most of the people arrested at the Seattle
WTO demonstrations have had their charges dismissed.
As far as I know, the only person on our list who was arrested was Aaron
Koleszar, of PEI, Canada. He sends us these updates below. As you will see,
the need to protest and educate is still there, and there are people like
Aaron who are still there too!
all the best, Jan
*******************************************
Date: Sat, 08 Jan 2000 04:09:37 -0800
From: Aaron Koleszar <•••@••.•••>
Subject: WTO Charges dismissed
Charges dismissed
The prosecutor has made motions to have most WTO charges dismissed due to
lack of evidence. Charges are being dismissed for Canadians Josh Weale,
Alan DeWald, and Aaron Koleszar (and surely others). Aaron is, however
flying to Seattle on Saturday as the plane ticket is non-refundable. He
will file police misconduct reports and investigate the possibility of a
civil suit against the city of Seattle to hold them accountable for police
violence.
He can be reached as of Saturday, Jan.8 at 206-568-6191,
and •••@••.•••
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to everyone for their support & solidarity.
Aaron
**********************************************************
Aaron Koleszar <•••@••.•••>
_________________________________________________________
"This is not about cops. This is about corporate greed."
- a WTO protester, as the police advance on demonstrators
We are going to have either fascism or democracy. If you sit on
the sidelines it will be fascism."
- Richard K. Moore
"For we the people fight for freedom
While the cops just fight for pay
And as long as the truth is in our hearts
We're sure to win some day."
- a Seattle '99 minstrel
*******************************************************************
Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2000 15:39:20 -0800
From: Aaron Koleszar <•••@••.•••>
Subject: The Biosafety Protocol in Montreal jan.21
From: lorraine <•••@••.•••>
A DEMONSTRATION is planned for Saturday, January 22, 12:00 PM, outside
the ICAO building (999 University), for the last day of the informal meeting
between
delegates (a march may be organized). Greenpeace and the Council of
Canadians are preparing a public forum in the evening, during which public
personalities,
internationally reknown public figures and specialists will speak out.
MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND PERSONALITIES FROM ACROSS CANADA ARE READY TO
PARTICIPATE TO THESE EVENTS, as this negotiations round is critical. We
are thus forming a coalition, but there is work to be done. We have
tools, but we need volunteers...
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GET INVOLVED, PARTICIPATE AND
IMPACT ON THE OUTCOME OF A CRUCIAL EVENT, HERE IS YOUR CHANCE. We will
have but about 20 days to participate in the preparation of these
events, but, again, we have tools and means. Help in, bring up resources you
know about, inform organizations and people you know.
We want a big turnout.
he NEXT BAM MEETING will be:
Wednesday Jan. 5 , 7: PM
UQAM
320 St-Catherine East
3rd floor, room DS-3195
Montreal, Quebec
<snip>
YOU ARE ALL INVITED. Don't wait before telling your intention to
participate. For purposes of
privacy, please inform us of your participation by leaving a message at
(514) 987-3000 extention 4077#
or by writing to the following e-mail address
•••@••.•••
Please leave us your name and phone No and, if your choice is made, the
committee you want to get involved into (optional). We will call you back
subsequently.
What is the Biosafety Protocol???
The preparation for the Biosafety Protocol Conference, which will be
negotiated in Montreal, January 20 through 28, 2000, is underway. In short,
it is the last round of negotiations (involving 130 countries)before the
adoption of a treaty
(the Biosafety Protocol) that will regulate the global trade of
genetically engineered living organisms and (possibly) their
by-products. Canada is the leader of the Miami Group : six countries
(Canada, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and the US, the latter not
being entitled to vote) who a pushing for a outrageously weak and
unrestrictive protocol. The Miami group is somewhat opposed to the rest of
the world. If Canada gives in, the other countries will also probably do
(the US is not entitled to vote). THE CANADIAN CITIZENS THUS HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT'S
POSITION AND TO SUPPORT THE REST OF THE WORLD DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS. THIS
CONFERENCE IS A CRITICAL EVENT AND ITS IMPACT
WILL DETERMINE THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGIES AND THE STATE OF
THE WORLD'S BIODIVERSITY AND SECURITY.
<snip>
**********************************************************
Aaron Koleszar <•••@••.•••>
_________________________________________________________
"This is not about cops. This is about corporate greed."
- a WTO protester, as the police advance on demonstrators
"The first step is to penetrate the clouds of deceit and distortion and
learn the truth about the world, then to organise and act to change it.
That's never been impossible and never been easy."
Noam Chomsky
