The proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) agreement is the latest attempt by transnational corporations to fortify their control over the world's resources. Initiated in 1994 by the 34 countries of North and South America (excluding Cuba), the FTAA would constitute the world's largest free market zone - affecting 650 million people and $9 trillion in capital. It would essentially be the extension of NAFTA to the entire Hemisphere. The leaders of the 34 countries, operating under a veil of secrecy, hope to make substantive progress on the agreement at the Summit of the Americas meeting in Quebec City from April 20-22. But thousands of people from all over the Americas - wisened to the hazards of corporate globalization - will be on the streets to make sure that doesn't happen, using non-violent direct action to shut down the Summit. It will be a broad-based, diverse resistance unified in its opposition to corporate greed, violence, exploitation and irresponsibility.

We are a group of Santa Cruz activists who have come together to resist the Free Trade Area of the Americas in particular and neo-liberal corporate domination in general. We are committed to non-hierarchical, consensus-based decision making and creative, non-violent direct action. Our goals are to:

• educate ourselves, other activists and the general public about the FTAA
• organize affinity groups going to Quebec City for the mass mobilization and direct action on April 20-22
• organize other affinity groups for local and regional solidarity protest
• work with SMAC to organize a teach-in and weekend-long non-violence civil disobedience training
• work with the City of Santa Cruz in passing a resolution against the proposed FTAA

Development of www.stopftaa.org/sc was initiated for two reasons:

1. To provide a straightforward information source about the FTAA and the upcoming Summit of the Americas

2. To facilitate organization and collaboration between individuals and groups heading to Quebec in April, 2001.

SC FTAA
Organizing News

"Quebec City - What happened, and Where do we go from here?" Tuesday, May 15 at the Resource Center for Non-violence (518 Broadway).

On April 20, thousands of militant activists managed to disrupt the Summit of the Americas, despite the largest Canadian police effort ever. Skirmishes with the police raged for two days, as a growing army of activists braved tear gas, fire hoses and rubber bullets. Attempt after attempt was made to destroy the sprawling security fence and to breach the perimeter. Inside the security zone, leaders from the Western Hemisphere's 34 "democracies" discussed the Free Trade Area of the Americas: a far-reaching neo-capitalist trade agreement that would enrich corporations while devastating working people, the environment and the sovereignty of people everywhere.

The actions of both the police and the protestors created much controversy, and a number of complex issues have been raised. The Santa Cruz affinity group that went to Quebec will hold a facilitated meeting to discuss tactics, strategies and visions for the growing anti-capitalist movement. We will also share stories and show video footage. Everyone is invited...

* of what happened in Quebec by Amory Starr with Brian Cairnes.

* Rachel's personal report cool report printed in Metro Santa Cruz

* groovy zine

* Statement by Robert Zoellick, the new United States Trade Representative
check out what we are up against...

* Letter from Lisa Fithian

* FTAA Analysis by Maude Barlow