PRESS RELEASE -- For immediate release

Our resistance continues, and solidarity triumphs!
DESPITE POLICE REPRESSION, THE WTO WILL CRUMBLE !

MONTREAL (July 29, 2003) – Despite yesterday's excessive police repression, protesters held two more snake marches today. More than 500 people attended this morning’s march, which took place at 10 a.m. A second march at 1:30 p.m. drew more than 400 activists.

Once again, Monday's 342 arrests have shown us clearly that the power structure of multilateral organizations, such as the WTO, the IMF, the World Bank, the G8 and G20, are using as much repression as ever to stifle any dissidence -- regardless of where these protests are taking place around the world.

From a legal standpoint, we deplore the police’s strategy that accuses protestors of taking part in an illegal assembly. Such strategies render it impossible for protestors to seek legal aid, as this charge is not covered by the service. This strategy represents further proof that repressive forces are prepared to use any and all means to criminalize political dissent.

It is clear, however, that police repression only reinforces our solidarity, our convictions, and our continued fight to dismantle capitalism and its illegitimate international institutions – such as the WTO – that place the profits of multinational companies ahead of respecting the well-being of most of the world's people. Like our solidarity movement, which stretches across the globe, the resistance of the Popular Mobilization Against the WTO recognizes the countless problems created by capitalism.

Once again, the Green Zone that we had announced as a safe haven - located at Park Lafontaine - was

targeted by the police. Three individuals were kidnapped and one man was arrested this morning on the ridiculous pretext of being in a park. Following his participation in an action for housing rights, a judge had imposed absurd conditions on him—forbidding him to be in the park. During this morning’s march, a bike courier found cycling near a police van was arrested, brutalized, and then released once the police realized their grave mistake.

We reiterate our firm opposition to the WTO and we demand that it be dismantled immediately.

The front page story in today's Le Journal de Montréal stated: "The hoodlums are back in town." In response, we'd like to remind the editorial desk of this newspaper that they may have inadvertently omitted the words "of the WTO," after the word “hoodlums.