Andy Mager
The Syrithacans, a Central New York affinity group which formed
over a year ago to participate in blockades of the IMF/World Bank meetings in
Washington, DC, engaged in actions in Syracuse and Buffalo to oppose the impositions
of the Free Trade Area of the Americas on our hemisphere. Beginning on Friday,
April 19, the activists set up a “tableau” a graphic visual scene
to show the meaning of globalization–see photo) and passed out leaflets.
In Buffalo the Syrithacans joined with hundreds of other activists in calling
for “Fair Trade, Not Free Trade.” A rally and legal march drew some
800 people, including a busload from the Greater Syracuse Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
A confrontation took place at the foot of the Peace Bridge as activists seeking
to cross the bridge on foot were met by dozens of police in riot gear. After
asserting our right to cross the bridge for over an hour, recognized that we
would not be able to get past the police lines and returned to the rally. Chants
of “I don’t see no riot here, so take off that stupid (useless) gear”
led police to remove gas masks and some padding.
The dramatic nature of the tableau led to significant interest on the part of
passers-by and made leafletting much easier. This is an important way to provide
people some direct information about the dangers of the FTAA. This project will
continue.
To offer assistance, contact Andy Mager at magcap@bigfoot.com or through
SPC.
