FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Janet Yip, 212-431-7377
Sunday, February 3, 5:00 pm
Thousands Gather against the World Economic Forum:
"The World Needs Us in the Street! We Won't Back Down, We Won't Retreat!"
In spite of a week of arrest threats, heavy police presence over an area of many square blocks, and the claim that political demonstrations were unwelcome post 9/11, thousands of people massed in New York City this weekend 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.
As the WEF delegates met inside the Waldorf, the crowd outside of 15 to 20 thousand was remarkable in its diversity. Protesters carried signs decrying the abuse of the environment and impoverishment of billions of people, signs against the current war and large papier-mâché puppets about the theme "Another World is Possible!" People came from across the country. A spirit of unity and determination to march was evident in the chant "We won't back down, We won't retreat, the World needs us in the Street!"
Thousands of riot police massed, shoving the crowd, and breaking into it to pick out protesters, possibly those wearing masks. Mace was used directly into peoples' faces and pepper spray clouds filled the air. More than 35 were arrested and held in buses over Saturday night, for as long as 20 hours.
Today, people were arrested when riot police, backed up by helicopters and large numbers of police of rooftops, stopped a march of several hundred from the Anti-Capitalist Convergence at 2nd Avenue and 13th Street. Protesters are still being held in vans.
"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 anyone who objects here at home should be silenced as well." Refuse & Resist! produced a neon orange sticker worn by 5,000 people which said "Another World is Possible. We Won't be Intimidated. Refuse & Resist!"
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! Another world is possible!
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 2/3/02]
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