Today, members of the
Santa Cruz Delegation to Cancun joined six other affinity groups in an
action
within the security zone at the 5th WTO Ministerial Conference. The
police were
peaceful, and there were no arrests.
The activists met at
the Hard Rock Café in the Hotel Zone a block down the street from the
Convention Center where the meetings were being held. At a prearranged
time, a
banner was unfurled that read “WTO Kills.”
Demonstrators in front
of the banner held cardboard gravestones that declared RIP for water,
basic
services, oceans, public schools, health care, farmers, forests, and
safe food.
The sign for farmers was particularly poignant, as it follows the
suicide of
Korean farmer Lee Kyung-hae in protest of the WTO two days prior.
Each person read out a
prepared statement, explaining why the impacts of WTO policies are
leading to
the deaths of the issues on their particular gravestone. The sentences
were
read in both English and Spanish, highlighting that these losses affect
both
those in developed as well as developing countries.
After stating their
case, the group began chanting, “OMC, mata!” (Spanish for “WTO kills”).
The
large banner was turned around, so that it read “A Better World Is
Possible.”
After chanting several
times, the activists began singing, “The earth is not for sale” to the
tune of
the classic song, “We Shall Overcome.” This was followed by one of the
most
famous Spanish chants, “Si se puedes,” which roughly means “Yes, it can
be
done!”
Almost immediately
after the banner was unfurled, the group was approached by WTO
Security. Two
members of the action engaged the officers immediately, and so the
action was
able to continue for about ten minutes. Then security demanded that the
banner
and the gravestones be habded over, apparently because they were
considered
“propaganda.”
Although the Mexican
Constitution guarantees freedom of ideas, when the WTO is in town, this
freedom
can be easily taken away by the police.
The activists then
dispersed. Apparently they were not followed by the police.
Although most of the
actions opposing the WTO have taken place outside of the security zone,
other
activists besides the Santa Cruz Delegation have attempted to make
their voices
heard near the convention center. Two days ago, several local people
had
gathered, holding signs and carrying a puppet. And earlier today, three
activists hung a banner that read "Que Se
Vayan
Todos,” or “Everyone Leave” on a crane overhanging the Convention
Center.