------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the March 22, 2001 issue of Workers World newspaper ------------------------- AS FTAA SUMMIT NEARS: QUEBEC DROPS SCARF RULE AFTER PROTESTS By Josina Dunkel Montreal The hastily passed by-law which made wearing head scarves or hats during the anti-capitalist globalization summit in Quebec City this April has been overturned. Facing widespread criticism and a direct challenge from civil- rights lawyers, the government decided that this arbitrary law simply was not worth the fight. Though the Canadian government has repeatedly stated that it encourages civil-society involvement in Quebec, all efforts have been made to frustrate protesters' organizing efforts. The protests against the summit for a Free Trade Area of the Americas follow similar protests in Seattle, Washington and Prague. Many estimates predict even larger protests in Quebec City than at these earlier events. As hosts of this summit, the governments of Quebec City and its suburb of St. Foy have worked hard to undermine the anti-FTAA protest. The largest police presence in Canadian history will be assembled. Over 5,000 federal police will be reinforced by more provincial and municipal police. An 18-foot fence has been built around the walled city and a pass-system for residents who live within the fence will be established. The government intends to limit access to the summit by physical and legal restrictions. One distinct problem for organizers is the lack of accommodations. Though hotel rooms have been reserved, they will not be able to accommodate all the thousands of protesters. The government has reserved almost all hotel rooms in the city and has even cancelled some reservations previously held by anti-FTAA organizations. Letters have been sent out to churches and community centers by municipal authorities to discourage them from allowing protesters to sleep on their floors, implying that there may be a loss of funding. Despite these obstacles, organizing has continued. Protesters are discussing camping out on the historic Plains of Abraham, where in 1759 England defeated France, laying the groundwork for British imperialist control over northern North America. Students at universities and colleges in the Quebec City region are discussing a strike in support of the FTAA protests. This would also free up classroom space for protesters. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For subscription info send message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: http://www.workers.org) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
