FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Janet Yip 212-431-7377
Saturday, February 2 2002 6:00 p.m.
Tens of thousands of people have gathered in New York City to voice their anger and outrage against the injustices of the current "world war without end" and the meeting of the World Economic Forum. The WEF showcases wealthy people and politicos wining and dining with little care for the rest of a hungry and terrorized world. Protesters carried signs decrying the abuse of the environment, signs against the war, along with creative, large papier-mâché puppets about the theme "Another World is Possible!"
While some protesters were maced directly in the face by police, clouds of gas filled the air, affecting hundreds more. One youth described seeing a demonstrator on her knees, retching, blinded by the mace. Many demonstrators were shoved by police, thrown to the ground and then arrested. Arrests are continuing. Reports say that snatch squads of police went directly after the "black bloc."
"The kind of repression of dissent we are seeing in the streets today is yet another example of a whole atmosphere of repression," said Janet Yip, spokesperson for Refuse & Resist!, one of the sponsoring organizations. "The government seems to feel that not only is it entitled to rule the world, but that any one who objects here at home should be silenced as well."
One march originated at 59th St. and 5th Avenue. As it passed the Plaza Hotel about 1pm, police charged into the crowd, using pepper spray, and extracted 6-12 people who were arrested. Protesters refused to give up their place in the streets, chanting, "The world needs us in the streets! We won't back down, we won't retreat!"
"This was an unprovoked attack on dissent," said one participant. Another organizer for the Youth Network of Refuse & Resist! said, "The police were very violent right from the beginning. We were getting pushed backwards by the police, but people stood their ground. It's clear that violence is on the police's agenda."
Since September 11, we have seen a steamroller attack on civil liberties in this country. Hundreds of people have been rounded up and held in indefinite detention without charges. New laws permit the government to read our e-mail, scrutinize our financial records and secretly break into our homes. Dissenting professors have been fired. There has been a grab for power by the executive branch, through presidential decrees setting up an office of "Homeland Security" and subjecting non-citizens to military tribunals not subject to judicial review. Our children are lined up to pledge allegiance to the government that is doing all this. It is against this backdrop, and in the face of violent police, that these tens of thousands of veteran activists and youth are daring to fight for a different future, boldly declaring, "Another World Is Possible!"
We will not let the government censor us! We will not be intimidated! The whole world is watching!
Refuse & Resist! is a national membership organization that exists to build a community, climate and culture of resistance, and we have youth from around the country participating in the weekends' events.
[posted 2/2/02]
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