Peoples' Global Action Statement On G8 Summit

A STATEMENT BY MEMBERS OF THE TAMPA BAY ACTION GROUP (TBAG)

- Temporary North American Co-Convenors Peoples' Global Action

The Tampa Bay Action Group strongly condemns the Italian Government under the leadership of Silvio Berlusconi for its brutal repression against the demonstrators who were protesting in Genoa against the G8 summit. The bloody attacks and beatings of demonstrators and journalists as well as Italian parliamentarians who were observing the police brutality, the use of live ammunition, and the physical and psychological torture of demonstrators while in custody by the police is unacceptable and must be condemned.

We demand that the murder of a young protestor must be investigated as a possible human rights abuse. In addition we are demanding that the a full investigation be held on the attack of the Independent Media Center and Genoa Social Forum offices, as well as the brutal attack of the protesters who were sleeping in the apartment across the street form the media center. We support all demands for the immediate release of everyone who has been arrested, and the dropping of all criminal charges. We point out the obvious: the real criminals are the leaders of the G8.

From the fields and cities of Colombia and the Andean region where people are fighting for their lives against Plan Colombia and the Andean initiative, to the fields of India where farmers are fighting against the patenting of their seeds, to Cochabamba Bolivia where the people are fighting against the privatization of their water, to the streets of Cincinnati where people are fighting against racist police murders, the attacks against those who oppose oppression continue. Anywhere in the world where people stand up for their freedom and against neo-liberalism, imperialism, or racism - they face the harsh and brutal repression of the their rulers, usually with the military hardware supplied by the G8 countries and produced by the multi-national corporations who support these bankrupt governments for and by the rich.

The murder of the young protestor in Genoa and the three anti-IMF student protesters who were murdered in Papua New Guinea are just a small part of the violence inflicted against those who dare to fight back.

The Tampa Bay Action Group stands firmly against oppression of all kinds. It is noteworthy to recognize that many of those in the armed forces in Italy are the same age as that of the protestor that was murdered. Throughout the world the armed forces are composed of those from poor and working class backgrounds. As is true in the US, the armed forces are often the only place of employment (and now the prison industry) for many young people of color and poor and working class people.

This situation must change! We cannot allow our children and families to be cannon fodder for the rich any more, or to be used to kill their brothers and sisters who take to the streets for freedom and peace! In Colombia the Woman's Popular Movement has articulated this well. " Whether fighting for the guerrillas, the paramilitary, or the government.. our sons and daughters are being enticed by the promises of a paycheck, cell phones, and food, to be cannon fodder. We say no, and ask all of our sons and daughters to put down their guns, and build a movement for peace."

We reaffirm our commitment to building non-violent alternatives to corporate globalization, and unite with all people's movements that strive to create a world based on freedom, dignity, and environmental integrity - not on capitalist profits.

The Tampa Bay Action Group calls on all people who condemn the actions that were perpetrated during the G8 summit in Genoa by the Italian government of Silvio Berlusconi, the G8 participants, and the multinational corporations that they serve to take to the streets and say Ya Basta!

Join with those who oppose oppression in all forms. Join those who say we must defend our bothers and sisters throughout the world who struggle to maintain the political and cultural freedom.

We refuse to take on the characteristics of those who oppress. We will dance and sing their oppression into the ground. We will continue to build coalitions opposed to oppression, and will continue to create alternatives to capitalist greed and exploitation.

Members of Tampa Bay Action Group will be joining other activists at a Reclaim the Streets Party/Protest on Saturday July 28th 9.30 PM at Centro Ybor 16th St. and 7th Ave. Ybor City, Tampa to protest brutal repression against the demonstrators who were protesting in Genoa against the G8 summit and the facial recognition software in Ybor.

Tampa Bay Action Group

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