New Orleans anti-globalization protest

NEW ORLEANS--New Orleans is open for business, although 12,000 people remain without a place to live. Last week, President Bush, Mexican President Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Harper came to New Orleans not only to talk about free trade, but also to showcase the "magnificent" recovery of the city.

Despite Bush's negligence after Hurricane Katrina, he has come to New Orleans for the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP, for short), to highlight the Gulf Coast's many ports and cheap labor. Although, the actual discussions at the SPP are unclear, there is no doubt that the aims of the meeting are to continue the same disastrous policies as NAFTA and other free trade agreements.

These free trade policies negatively impact the environment, workers' conditions and even hunger or starvation of millions of people. Free trade policies have been nothing but detrimental to the environment, by letting corporations move pollution to countries with less stringent regulations.

Worker in all countries suffer from lower wages and standards of living thanks to free trade. In Mexico, NAFTA has lead to huge increases in the price of corn, causing millions to go without the staple of the Mexican diet. All in all, free trade allows corporations to call the shots without consideration for the consequences.

That's why New Orleanians and people from all three nations descended onto the city to protest the failed policies of free trade. On April 20, about 100 people gathered for a rally with speakers that addressed the public-housing crisis in New Orleans, what it was like to be wrongfully imprisoned during Hurricane Katrina, being an undocumented Mexican worker speaking out for the inclusion of undocumented workers' and immigrants' rights.

Other activists reported on the nature and history of other SPP meetings. The next day, some 60 people came together for a rally and march. Prof. Martin Katz, spoke about the connections between the SPP and NAFTA, and other failed Bush policies.

Several rallies and marches were planned for later that week, in addition to a people's summit, which activists hope will bring together people from the three nations, to inform participants about the impacts of free trade. Also, to cultivate a movement that understands the horrors of free trade and stands politically armed and ready to fight against those policies.