Bellingham, Washington - Saturday, February 10, 2001 saw 50 labour and community activists from Canada and the United States crowd into the Longshore Hall in Bellingham, Washington and lay the groundwork for the formation of the Peace Arch Coalition.

Bellingham, Washington - Saturday, February 10, 2001 saw 50 labour and
community activists from Canada and the United States crowd into the
Longshore Hall in Bellingham, Washington and lay the groundwork for the
formation of the Peace Arch Coalition.

The Peace Arch Coalition’s first undertaking will be organizing a major
cross-border No Way FTAA Rally (working title) on Saturday, April 21, 2001
at Peace Arch Park, at Blaine on the Canada-U.S. border, to coincide with
the staging of the FTAA -Free Trade Agreement of Americas - Ministerial
Meeting in Quebec City in April. The FTAA site is being held in Old Quebec,
whose 400 year old stone fortress walls are being reinforced with a 10' high
chain link fence to keep activists out and FTAA participants in. As with
every major international trade forum beginning with the WTO in Seattle,
thousands of activists will converge on Quebec for a People’s Conference.
Across Canada, the U.S. and around the world solidarity events are taking
place to complement the Quebec People’s Conference and demonstrate popular
opposition to the corporatist agenda which is at the core of the trade
deals.

It is expected that the No Way FTAA Rally will draw thousands of concerned
citizens from Canada and the U.S. to show opposition to the FTAA -
Corporatist agenda. No Way FTAA will feature music, theatre, Special
Speakers, a teach-in on the FTAA and more. Mark your calendars for April
21, 2001. Ask your organization to Join the Peace Arch Coalition and help
make history as people around the world speak out against the FTAA. The No
Way FTAA Rally on April 21st will gather at 10:00 a.m. with music, booths,
discussions and entertainment. The formal program will run from 12:00 noon
to 1:00 p.m. Music and entertainment will continue to 4:00 p.m

The next Peace Arch Coalition cross border planning meeting will take place
at the Longshoremen’s Hall, 807 North State St., Bellingham, Washington at
12:00 noon on Saturday, February 24th, 2001. Take the State St./Ohio St.
Exit off the I-5 to North State St., turn left and go south to #807. All
organizations welcome to attend and build this important event.

Sponsored by the Peace Arch Coalition

Canadian contacts: Terry Engler ILWU Local 400 (604) 251-7174 or
Jef Keighley CAW Canada (604) 522-7911