WASHINGTON DC (12/7/03) - The noon CAFTA rally at Malcom X Park on 16th and Euclid NW started with chants in both English and Spanish: “NAFTA, CAFTA why do we hafta?!” “What do we want? To stop CAFTA! When do we want it? NOW!” Towson’s own Ryan Harvey was there with an acoustic guitar to warm up the crowd with his song “It’s Bigger Than a War” and a drum line of about five backed him up. Over eight local groups including the Share Foundation, Nicaragua Network, Quixote Center and Witnesses For Peace sponsored the day.

Several speakers voiced opposition to CAFTA, an agreement that, in the “free” trade tradition, would have the same detrimental effects on the working classes as NAFTA or the proposed FTAA would. This time the targets are El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica. Bush and his administration are moving to expedite the agreement as a means of furthering the FTAA agenda. Representatives of the five Central American countries and the United States began meeting 10 months ago, and if they get their way, a deal could be sealed by the end of the week. Consequently, a proposal would go to congress when they return from their break in January. Sunday’s rally speeches succeeded in connecting CAFTA to a wide range of current issues relating to the globalization movement.

Erin of Baltimore, who described herself simply as “someone who does any activism (she) can get (her) hands on”, was present to not only show solidarity, but to learn more about the trade agreement itself. “I have been trying to find CAFTA specific information for over a couple of weeks now, but haven’t had a lot of luck.” A lack of knowledge about CAFTA specifics only highlights the clandestine nature of the proposed agreement. As with other free trade agreements, CAFTA drafts have been kept out of public domain.

Katherine Hoyt, Co-Director of the Nicaraguan Network, mentioned this point in her rally speech. “The text is kept secret so people like you and me won’t be able to find out the truth. These are texts aimed at making the rich richer and the poor poorer.”

Hoyt went on to remind the crowd that, not only are tangible recourses at risk of being lost, but also values and cultural identities. “In free trade negotiations, the United States demands that the borders be opened up in five to fifteen years to cheap rice and beans, throwing farmers off of land and into cities to work. Free trade argues that farmers can be part of the modern world economy, eating and living cheaper. This is false. The family was poor on their land, but at least they could all eat and work. It’s a way of life that is lost”.

Jaime Garay, a Salvadorian immigrant and member of the group MILPA, stated that he wants to ask congress to vote against CAFTA because of what it will do for both him and his family back home. In his speech he stated that if CAFTA goes into effect, “as immigrants, we would have to send even more money back home for things like health care because of rising costs--more money that we are making here in low paying jobs. It would be the direct result of the privatization of recourses like water, education and health care”.

Later, in an interview with this reporter, Garay noted that he has a brother and a senior citizen mother still living in El Salvador whose welfare he is responsible for. A construction worker living in Prince Georges County, he has been working with his local Salvadorian community for eight months. “The Salvadorian community is a dominant group here, but it has little organizational power. MILPA strives to move Salvadorian communities to movement, due to their civic and community responsibilities.”

One topic common to the rally speeches was November’s FTAA protests in Miami. Mara Verheyden-Hilliard of Partnership for Civil Justice and the Lawyers Guild discussed dissent to both CAFTA and FTAA, stating that, “It is the same government functioning on the same level of exploitation. Free trade agreements bring in a domestic war and it includes those that resist them”. Making reference to the paramilitary police state seen in Miami last month, she stated that it “signals the power of the movement. They wouldn’t do it if they weren’t afraid. It’s a real fear. We will demand an end to exploitation. We are demanding that and we will succeed.”

Len Shindel of United Steelworkers of America also highlighted the FTAA protests in his speech, calling on the crowd to join the USWA in “pushing the U.S Congress to investigate the dangerous criminalization of dissent which took place in Miami”.

Shindel also made reference to the effects of trade agreements on American workers, proclaiming that “trade policy is not an abstract issue for the members of our Union. When owners have shut-down factories under contract with the USWA and relocated production to Mexico and other regions, we have financed visits so that our displaced members can see first hand what so-called free trade really means for workers.”

Shindel went on to remark that “George Bush’s broken promise on steel tariffs has only served to renew our Union’s desire to join with others to fight for truly fair trade which places the needs of people ahead of the interests of Corporations”.

A short march got underway a little after 2:00, making its way down 16th St., turning onto Rhode Island Ave. and stopping on Connecticut Ave. directly across the street from the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel. The vocal protest drew a small crowd outside the hotel with their chanting: “CAFTA means hunger! CAFTA means violence. We know the truth and we wont be silenced!” The peaceful protest stuck to the sidewalk and attracted the attention of only one police car and a motor bike. The march wrapped up in Farragut Square, around the corner from the hotel.There were no arrests.

This week, between December 8th–12th, delegates hope to sign a CAFTA agreement. The goal for those who stand in opposition is to stop this from happening. Your help is needed in mobilizing! All week, with the exception of Wed. a daily vigil from 12-1 pm will take place outside of the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Ave. On Tuesday the 9th, tell the CAFTA delegates “Ya Basta!” by joining the anti-CAFTA air force and noise action. Bring your noisemakers and paper airplanes. On Wednesday, an official press conference will take place at noon outside of the hotel.

See also from DC Indymedia:

"CAFTA Enters into Final Negotiations in DC"
dc.indymedia.org/feature/display/86361/index.php

"ACT-UP Blocks Connecticut Avenue to Protest CAFTA"
dc.indymedia.org/feature/display/86365/index.php

"MGJ Activists Disrupt CAFTA Negotiations Press Conference"
dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/86494/index.php

See www.stopcafta.org for information, resources and more ideas on how to mobilize.
MORE CAFTA LINKS: www.cispes.org, www.houston.indymedia.org, www.citizenstrade.org, www.nicanet.org, www.nisgua.org