MST Informa
February 21, 2003
MST

On February 15th, millions of people gathered around planet to condemn the military action of the United States, motivated by the pronunciations carried out during the third World Social Forum. More than 600 cities questioned the position of the governments of the United States, France and England, who favour the war.

Throughout the demonstrations, the Social Network of Movements received a variety of suggestions for continuing the campaign against the war. These will be shared with the committees and authorities for the elaboration of new actions.

Suggestions for campaign actions:

1. In case of an attack by the United states on Iraq, it is proposed that in each city where there is an American consulate or embassy, vigils and permanent encampments be formed immediately in protest - setting up tents, cots and protest lines with statements such as 'stop the war' "Bush -- assassin', etc.

2. Initiate a boycott campaign against the consumption of products from American transnational companies with a presence in our countries - spread pamphlets in supermarkets, encouraging consumers to avoid consuming products from these companies, which are in fact financing the war, and producing war equipment. Many, such as IBM, Monsanto and Coca-Cola are selling material for American service.

3. Initiate a boycott campaign against the supply of gas stations by American companies, such as Texaco and ESSO.

4. Initiate a campaign in schools in general, for children to write letters to Iraqi children, in solidarity, and to American children, asking them to pressure the Bush government not to conduct the war.

5. Carry out demonstrations in front of American businesses that will benefit from the war.

6. Encourage unions of American companies to carry out strikes or stoppages, even if symbolic, in their workplaces, as protest against the war, to induce the managers of these companies will demonstrate against the Bush government.

Other suggestions can be sent to the International Secretariat of Social Movements (movsoc@uol.com.br). They will be shared with other sectors and social efforts and may be used in the formulation of new forms of protest.

NEWS BRIEFS

Families of São Paulo in Need of Solidarity

In the municipality of São Paulo about one hundred families of workers are threatened with eviction, after seven months of occupation. On July 20 2002, workers of the MST and of MTST occupied a plot of land belonging to Sabesp (Basic Sanitation Company of the state of São Paulo), which was slated to be turned into a garbage dump, although the area was suitable for agriculture. Readers are asked to send messages to the state governor on behalf of these families.

Governador do Estado de São Paulo Sr. Geraldo Alckmin Fax: (11) 3745-3738

Violence in the Countryside in 2002

Data on conflicts in the countryside registered with the Pastoral Land Commission during the year 2002 show that the last year of the government of Fernando Henrique Cardoso was particularly violent for rural workers. The number of people assassinated in conflicts over land, 38, was equal to 1998, and only lower than 1996, when 46 deaths were registered. It is important to remember than 1996 was the year that the massacre of Eldorado dos Carajás took place, in which 19 landless people were killed and 69 wounded.

Justice for Dorcelina Folador

On February 24, the trial began of the six accused in the assassinated of Dorcelina Folador, MST activist and mayor of Mundo Novo (in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul). She was assassinated on October 31, 1999 after repeated threats, which began when she was elected, for denouncing the "border mafia", who used the city, 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) from the border with Paraguay, for its criminal actions, including drug trafficking and smuggling of weapons, women and children.

Letters from Readers

It's a great victory to know that there are judges in our country who don' t just stay in their offices. (MST Newsletter # 28 -- Friday December 6 2002) -val-rosa2bol.com.br

Thanks for sending the Bulletin with news, information and messages which daily turn the struggle of oppressed people and workers into the construction of an alternative to capitalism. -Gaudêncio Frigott -- UFF-RJ

It is very important to publish the directions set out at the World Social Forum and their ramifications; in this way the participation of segments of society makes sense. If we don't reproduce, and socialize the information, and, most importantly, make the discourse practical, we will be weakened. (MST Newsletter # 32 -- Friday February 7 2003) -Jacira Silva, journalist, Director of SINDSEP?DF and activist in the Unified Black Movement (Federal District)

*Translated by FMST volunteer Faith Mansfield.