| Activists heading to Quebec
Sarah Kerr isn’t afraid to speak her mind – even if it means taking a rubber bullet or breathing tear gas. The 34-year-old activist and sustainable community development teacher at the University of Calgary is no stranger to protests. She was shot in the leg with rubber bullets, arrested and jailed for five days during the World Trade Organization protests in Seattle last year.
"What going to Seattle did was make me realize that rubber bullets and tear gas are awful – but they’re survivable," says Kerr. "I’m hoping not to face that in Quebec City, I don’t look forward to it."
She’s gearing up for the upcoming Summit of the Americas in Quebec City from April 20 to 22, where thousands of protesters are expected to descend on the city to criticize the lack of public disclosure on the trade negotiations taking place. Critics warn that decisions made at the summit, involving 34 North, Central and South American countries, could have a negative effect on millions of people.
Kerr says she wants to give some context to the event, to try to circumvent the mainstream media’s focus on whether or not there will be violence at the protests and to relate the message that the results of the summit have far-reaching implications for the average Canadian.
"The intent of the agreement... is to facilitate free trade. There’s no consideration given to environment, human rights or labour issues," she explains.
She adds that not only is the agreement unsustainable, but the whole process surrounding the meeting is undemocratic – the public hasn’t seen the agreement, it has not been discussed in parliament, and a referendum isn’t likely.
Despite her strong opinions, Kerr wasn’t planning on going to Quebec – she changed her mind last week in response to what she considers police intimidation.
"What made me want to go was just getting so frustrated with the erosion of democratic rights, with the criminalization of democratic dissent," Kerr says. "The pressure, the intimidation – they are trying so hard to scare people away that I finally refused to be scared."
She says police used similar tactics to deter dissenters at the World Petroleum Congress in Calgary last June, although she notes that the two events are very different. In Calgary, police spent about $12 million – a fence was erected, temporary warehouse jails were on standby, and reinforcements were brought in – for what proved to be a peaceful protest.
"How much of a danger is it to carry a sign?" she asks.
Grant Neufeld, director of Calgary’s Activist Network Web site at www.activist.ca, is also critical of the message the police and organizers are sending.
"Putting up three metre-high barbed wire fences with cement bases? That’s not a casual kind of atmosphere, that immediately places an atmosphere of tension there," he says.
"It’s really unfortunate. The vast majority of protesters have no interest in anything of a violent nature.... There’s more violence every weekend on the bar strips than at protests I’ve been to."
Meanwhile, the message the protesters are trying to get across is that elected officials are negotiating the deal behind closed doors – meaning the public doesn’t really know what’s going on.
He believes that, like other forms of globalization, the needs of the people and communities of participating countries are being given a back seat to securing profits for corporations.
A solidarity festival is being planned in Calgary for later this month to show support for the protesters. Other Albertans – including New Democrat leader Raj Pannu – will be heading across the country to take part in the protest themselves.
Cody Torgerson, the prairies regional coordinator of the Sierra Youth Coalition, is organizing rides to the summit. Although he admits he’s a bit hesitant, he’s determined to be a part of the protests.
"I’m pretty scared about it, but I’m able to go. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, so I will be going."
Torgerson says rental vans will leave from Calgary and Edmonton on April 15, and a ride costs $270. In total, he expects almost 50 people from Alberta will be heading to Quebec for the two-day summit.
If you’re interested in a ride to Quebec City for the protests, e-mail syc.prairies@care2.com, or visit www.ftaa.activist.ca. |
