An introduction letter to the anti-WEF New York events

From January 31 to February 4, heads of top transnational corporations and international political leaders will meet at the WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF) in New York City.

In dedicated and informed opposition, the Second Annual WORLD SOCIAL FORUM (WSF -- www.forumsocialmundial.org.br) will meet from January 31 to Febrary 5, in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Here, representatives from international human rights to labor to student organizations will stand in solidarity against corporate-centered globalization. The WSF states: "The alternatives proposed at the World Social Forum stand in opposition to a process of capitalist globalization commanded by the large multinational corporations and by the governments and international institutions at the service of those corporations' interests....[our alternatives] respect universal human rights...of all citizens - men and women - of all nations and the environment and will rest on democratic international systems and
insitutions at the service of social justice, equality and the sovereignty of peoples."

World Social Forum Charter of Principles, Number 4 Acting in parallel with the WSF in Porto Alegre, teach-ins and mass
demonstrations are being organized by multiple groups in New York City. From the uprising against the 3rd WTO Ministerial Conference in Seattle, Nov/Dec 1999, to that against the Summit of the Americas in Quebec, April 2001, the New York City demonstrations on Feb 1 and 2 will also be a broad-based response to the destructive effects of corporate-centered trade policy. Already, the New York Times as well as local news media have been
covering the event.

This letter is a call to stand, united, against profit over people worldwide. When money is the prime motive, human beings and the environment become commodities. From non-regulated free trade zones to high-priced essential drugs to contamination and destruction of the environment to loss of national sovereignty, corporate globalization effects everyone, reaching into every sector, subjugating millions for the profit of a few. From our
privatized health care system to the prison industrial complex, effects of corporate-globalization can be seen in the U.S. as well.

ANSWER (www.internationalanswer.org) is one group organizing mass rallies on Feb 1st and 2nd. Actions you can take include:
1) Attend the teach-in on Feb 1st. Sessions include: War in the Middle East, Civil Liberties, Globalization and Health, Immigrant Rights, Corporate-Centered Globablization, Domestic Economic Policies and Alternative Visions from the Progressive Community.

Where: Community Church, 35th between Park & Madison
When: 9:30AM - Registration, 10AM - Opening plenary session
More info: www.internationalanswer.org

2) Attend the indoor rally on Feb 1st.

Where: Fashion Institute of Technology auditorium, 27th St between 7th and 8th Ave
When: 7PM
More info: www.internationalanswer.org

3) Attend PERMITTED mass demonstration on Feb 2nd.

Where: Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Park Ave & 5Oth St (going north)
When: Meet and greet participants at 9AM, rally at 11AM
Bring: WARM clothes, food, signs, banners
More info: www.internationalanswer.org

4) Volunteer - From transportation to making signs, volunteers are needed. If you are in the New York area, call (212) 633-6646.

5) E-mail - Spread the word by e-mail or direct those interested to the ANSWER website -- www.internationalanswer.org.

6) Donate money to cover organizing expense. Again, see the websites for specifics on how to donate.

ANSWER is one of several organizations planning events against the World Economic Forum. Some events by other groups as well as housing and transportation issues in New York City are also addressed on the website:www.internationalanswer.org.

Thank you for your time and interest,

In solidarity,
Debbie Daniels, MD
ANSWER Coalition
dani...@hotmail.com