Tom's Brazil Report Back
Report from Brazil
I want to thank all of you for making my trip to Brazil possible. Your generosity is amazing!Thanks to your support, I was able to attend the coordinating committee of the HSA where 50 representatives from networks throughout the hemisphere met to share analysis, identify the challenges and opportunities of the current political moment, and chart a course for the energy of our movement so that we can continue to make the strongest contribution we can to the construction of a new reality.“A Change of Epochs”
Recently, the newly elected President of Ecuador stated, “This is not an Epoch of Changes, rather a Change of Epochs”. Members of the HSA traced their trajectory over the last 10 years, identifying pivotal contributions the alliance has made in facilitating this “Change of an Epoch” that is unfolding in South America. In 2001, when the HSA decided that it needed to mount and campaign against the FTAA, the only president opposing the FTAA was Cuba’s Fidel Castro – today he is joined by the Presidents of Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia. This dramatic political shift has been brought about by the vigorous work of the social movements in the hemisphere over the past twenty years.
Five years ago, the HSA immersed itself in building resistance to the Free Trade Agreements. While resistance must be sustained, new political alignments in the south provide a space in which we can also act creatively to construct new models of commerce and economic integration.“The Empire is not Sleeping”
However, it was also noted that the neo-liberal agenda is far from defeated and new challenges lie ahead. Anticipating the levels of poverty and social unrest produced by the “free trade” agreements, the corporate architects of the “free trade” model have moved toward the formation of regional security structures that can operate across boundaries without government permission. They are also moving towards the complete privatization of trade negotiations whereby corporate interests determine national policy behind closed doors that is never subjected to public or Congressional oversight or approval. Disturbing patterns of political repression and categorization movement leaders as “terrorists” in Guatemala, Colombia and El Salvador or are of particular concern.
Resistance and Alternatives
In countries that have already signed FTA’s, we need to accompany social movements and local communities to monitor impacts and defend the human rights of movement leaders and communities struggling to protect their rights, livelihoods and natural resources. Countries that have rejected the “free trade” model are developing alternatives, new regional integration strategies and ways of constructing societies. This represents a new space and opportunity to organize operationally. The HSA recommitted itself to expand its networks, deepen grassroots connections and to continue build resistance and forge alternatives.
What ART will do:
- We are well positioned to block the FTA with Colombia and we will be sending you action suggestions for ways you can help
- March 13-16 ART will host a delegation of Colombian Congress members to lobby against the FTA with Colombia
- We will work to stop renewal of fast track
- Facilitate HSA participation/workshops in the U.S. Social Forum
- Coordinate with HSA partners to build campaigns against corporate control of food and seeds
- Work with HSA partners to expose the expansion of NAFTA through the Security and Prosperity Partnership
- Organize efforts in the U.S. to repeal the elimination of Mexican tariffs on beans and corn required under NAFTA due to take effect January 1, 2008
Your Part to Play
We hope that you are excited as we are about expanding our role in this important fight. We would like to keep you informed about these efforts, share resources and suggest actions you can take - but we don’t want to send more information than you want to receive. Please take a moment to identify the lists you want to be on, so that we can best respond to your interests.