We'd like to let all "anti-FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas)" activists, of all different stripes, know about an incident that, while
not unusual, is nonetheless still rare in the mobilization against the
Summit of the Americas. This past March 1st, two members of the
Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC) and a member of the Independent Research Collective (CRAC), were forbidden from facilitating a workshop on
capitalism, globalization and the FTAA. The workshop was to take place at
the Sorel-Tracy College (CEGEP).

Who's Afraid of Anti-Capitalism? The Story of a Witch-hunt in Sorel
(Quebec) ... [translated from the original French]

by Philippe de Grosbois, Marie Mazalto and Benoit Tellier

We'd like to let all "anti-FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas)" activists, of all different stripes, know about an incident that, while
not unusual, is nonetheless still rare in the mobilization against the
Summit of the Americas. This past March 1st, two members of the
Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC) and a member of the Independent Research Collective (CRAC), were forbidden from facilitating a workshop on
capitalism, globalization and the FTAA. The workshop was to take place at
the Sorel-Tracy College (CEGEP).

The workshop, which was to have taken place in the College Auditorium, was
on the invitation of a recently-formed college mobilization committee>against the Summit of the Americas. Flyers and posters were ready, and we
were well prepared after having done a great 3 hour workshop in front of
70 students at the Drummondville College the night before.

However, the administration of Sorel-Tracy College didn't see it the same
way. Just 24 hours before the workshop, they informed the mobilization
committee that the workshop was cancelled. The administration cited the
"confrontational attitude" towards the FTAA adopted by the CLAC (see the
CLAC principles at www.quebec2001.net). This arbitrary censorship, despite
its indignant tone, was devoid of any explanation.

In fact, discussions with some college students, as well as an interview
with the principal, confirmed our suspicions. A teacher at the College who
participates actively at the Convergence Table [of so-called "peaceful
opposition" to the Summit of the Americas] learned of our imminent visit.
She quickly went to see the Academic Department [Direction des Etudes] to
prevent us from speaking, on the basis that we "advocate violence". The
department, for their part, refused to verify these defamatory accusations
and exercised a discretionary power that comes from a shameless conflict
of interest. All despite the fact that, as two students mentioned to the
principal, their refusal prevented the possibility of knowing about the
different ways groups are currently analyzing the implementation of the
Free Trade Area of the Americas.

"That which was won by arms, is maintained by work and intelligence." It's
a sad twist of fate, after being censored, to read the maxim that commemorates the founding of the city of Sorel in 1642. "Work and
intelligence" seem to have forgotten, in the long march of history
towards 2001, many local workers' struggles which have not ceased, such as
those of the 1930s and more recently, the struggles against the Simard
industry.

There are two points to keep in mind about this little witch-hunt. First,
the movement to oppose the FTAA (including its anti-capitalist wing)
causes fear and arouses reactionary thoughts and action, even in those
places where we least expect it. Secondly, a particular "pacifist tyranny"
seems to be more and more blind to its own violence, fed by censorship,
lies and the abuse of power. More seriously, 50 days before the Summit of
the Americas, the opposition to the FTAA should hardly allow this kind of
childishness.

Philippe de Grosbois and
Benoît Tellier, members of the CLAC;
Marie Mazalto, member of the CRAC.