PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Bulletin from Loja Caravans, Oct 24 in Ecuador
by Mark Nordenbergs shoe Friday, Oct. 25, 2002 at 6:42 PM

one bulletin from quito

MARCH OF THE PEOPLE AGAINST THE FTAA

Loja, October 24, 2002
First Bulletin

To the National and International Press
To our Brothers and Sisters

On the 27th of October, thousands of representatives from all parts of the Americas will gather in the city of Quito to create a document that encapsulates the positions of the indigenous, campesino and social movments of the Continent. Representatives from the countries of Canada, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Brizil, Colombia, Mexico, the United States, Guatemala, Panama and Chile among others will all gather together under the phrase �Another Integration is Possible�.

To strengthen this continental gathering, starting on the 23rd of October, Indigenous and Campesino peoples started out on a March from the four cardinal directions of Ecuador, (north, south, the eastern coast and the western Amazon). We will advance together towards Quito to express our thoughts just as our ancestors did, and the Chasquis did when we walked toward the center of the world to express our thoughts. In Minga we will advance to Quito!

In the early hours of the morning on the 24th of October, many leaders of the CONAIE and the CONFEUNASSC began to arrive in the city of Loja: the flags, posters, signs give life and strengthen the beginning of the Southern walk for Life and Against the FTAA.

Cesar Cabrera, President of CONFEUNASSC-CNC, stated that like on the 21 of January, today, the Indigenous and Campesino peoples have put down our agricultural tools to head to Quito in a great march, which will allow us to be present before the National Government and the 34 Ministers negotiating the FTAA.

The rules of the game and competition which the large transnationals of Big Capital would impose, betray the indigenous peoples. We are a small country with no subsidies nor access to credit to make our lands produce,� the campesino leader affirmed. �That is why we mobilize ourselves to say No to the FTAA and Yes to Life.

Humberto Cholango, leader of the CONAIE, refers to the unity among the largest rural organizations of the country as they work together, which strengthens the process of struggle and the construction of another possible world.

Finally the leaders affirm their tireless struggle in defense of solidarity and reciprocity and they call on the population in general to join the march as the FTAA will affect all of us.

ACTIVITIES: October 24, 2002
2:00 P.M. Press Conference in Loja (central park)

4:00 P.M.Concentration in Saraguro (in front of the Alcadia of Saraguro)

6:00 P.M.Assembly of the Peoples of Saraguro

8:00 P.M. Rest

Fraternally: CONFEUNASSC-CNC, INDYMEDIA

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