WTO/ Qatar actions in Bangor, North Wales sat 10th November150 people gathered in Bangor and heard speakers from a variety of groups condemn the WTO and also make the economic and political links between the corporate agenda, terrorism and the war in Afghanistan. Speakers included Rod Stallard from CND Cymru and Angharad Tomos from Cymdeithas y Iaith (the Welsh Language Society) who highlighted the need for threatened cultures and communities to come together in the face of the liquidating threat of the market economy. The crowd then marched up to the town centre temporarily blocking off traffic accompanied by excellent rhythm from Samba Bangor. Reception from passers-by was positive with many taking leaflets and stopping to discuss the issues in greater detail. This well attended and vibrant event- double the size of the Seattle solidarity demo in 1999- highlights that opposition to the WTO is growing and organised. Bangor is having weekly vigils against the war which also have a high turnout. The movement against Neoliberal globalisation has not been silenced in the face of the events of Sept 11th (as media pundits have suggested). Quite the opposite. Peace and human rights/ justice movements have formed stronger alliances. We are galvanised by the necessity to point to the economic and political causes of war, human suffering, social disintegration, environmental destruction and an increasingly unsafe world. This rally was organised by Cynefin y Werin/ Common Ground, a coalition of Welsh direct action and campaign groups. For more information (including film footage) contact: benica@gn.apc.org |