Looking for Quebec Stories

Go to www.polarisinstitute.org and tell your story -- for democracy's sake.

More than 60,000 citizens went to Quebec City in late April 2001 to express
their concerns about the FTAA. The motivating reasons for going were many,
but central to the protest is the concern with the rise of unchecked
corporate power, which is increasingly and inequitable defining the world we
live in.

The Canadian government erected a fence around the perimeter nearly 4
kilometers long, 3 meters high and fortified with 6000 police and riot squad
personnel. This Wall of Shame separated citizens from corporate CEO's who
bought their way into the Summit; trade bureaucrats who skillfully craft
rules that benefit corporations and trade away the public commons and
politicians who have abdicated their responsibility to represent citizens.

Part of the Wall of Shame came down on Friday, April 20 with the sheer
determination and power of people. What followed was a reprehensible and
excessive use of force that was directed at far more than the few individuals
who had the tenacity to knock down the Wall of Shame.

Tremendous violence and intimidation continued over the next few days by the
security forces. Quebec city residents and protestors were gassed, with more
than 5000 canisters of tear gas shot indiscriminately into crowds of peaceful
protestors; clouds of pepper spray were purposefully aimed into the faces of
citizens, marching riot squads cleared streets well beyond the perimeter
using canine units and powerful water cannons.

Citizens of Canada experienced the military face of a corporate security
state.

Now the Canadian government wants to herald the ratification of the
'Democracy Clause' that took place behind the Wall of Shame, behind the tear
gas and indiscriminate arrests of peaceful protestors as a major achievement.

We at the Polaris Institute do not agree -- we believe that democracy is in
danger. In fact we believe that the events witnessed by many thoughtful and
engaged citizens at Quebec City would support the view that the FTAA "democracy clause" was in fact violated in Quebec City in late April 2001.

We are inviting people to share their personal stories of Quebec City
especially incidents that indicate there was an "alteration or interruption
of the democratic order of the state". We invite you to document your
experience by visiting our Website www.polarisinstitute.org and click on 'Democracy in Danger.'

Our goal is to compile stories of truth and peaceful resistance that can be
used as a part of a follow-up citizen's inquiry to demonstrate that a massive
violation of the summit's democracy clause itself was perpetrated on
thousands of citizens who were exercising the democratic right to peaceful
protest against the FTAA. Email polarisinstitute@on.aibn.com with questions.

• 110 Trade Justice