In September anti-capitalist demonstrators successfully targeted the World Bank/IMF summit in Prague. Now the city of Nice in France is set to become the next "Seattle"
Protest at the E.U. OfficeMolesworth St., D.2
Thurs. Dec. 7th
5pm to 7pm
On the 7th of December, when Bertie Ahern meets with other European leaders in Nice, tens of thousands of trade unionists, environmentalists and grass-roots anti-capitalist activists will be there to confront them.
The EU, along with the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO, is pushing through the disastrous policies of neo-liberalism and globalisation, where essentially everything is being left entirely to the madness of the free market. These policies have already led to 18 million unemployed and 62 million people living below the poverty line. Privatisation, de-regulation, service charges and run-down public services are becoming the norm right across the EU.
And now in Nice the EU Commission plans to further strengthen its powers to dictate these policies:
The EU Commission is proposing to change article 133 of the Amsterdam Treaty to allow it to negotiate directly at the WTO to bring in the de-regulation of services such as health, education, water etc.
If this change goes ahead then privatisation of key public services could be brought into force without any consultation or agreement from the national governments or the people it affects.
This is the kind of Europe being imposed from above by the rich and powerful.
We demand a Europe from below - a Europe that puts people before profit. We want a democratic Europe that guarantees social economic and political rights, equality between genders, solidarity with the peoples of developing countries and a welcome for asylum seekers and other immigrants.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights that the EU leaders are proposing in Nice talks of the "freedom to conduct a business" but has no mention of rights for people. The European Federation of Trade Unions is supporting a call by the CGT, which is the largest union in France, for this Charter to include safeguards for workers:
- The right of asylum.
- The right to a home.
- The right to strike.
- The right to social protection against exclusion and poverty.
- The right to a decent pension.
- The right to work.
- The right to a living wage.
- The right to decently funded public services.
Nice is our chance to call a halt to the attacks on peoples' living standards and to stop the erosion of democracy in Europe. Join the growing movement for change &emdash; Join the Protest called by the Global Justice Network in Ireland.