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Subject: [pttp] Fw: Anti-War Conference -- Montreal, Canada ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rights Action" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2002 2:14 PM Subject: Anti-War Conference -- Montreal, Canada This information is re-distributed by Rights Action. If you want on/ off our e-list, please let is know: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [www.rightsaction.org] If you are interested in this Conference, please respond to the contact information below. ******* CONCORDIA STUDENT UNION TO ORGANIZE NATIONAL ANTI-WAR CONFERENCE IN MONTREAL, MARCH 1st - 3rd, 2002. *please forward* Dear friends, The US led war against "terrorism" and the people of Afganistan has entered its fourth month and shows no sign of abating. Flushed with the successes of a massive high altitude bombing campaign, the US is now setting the stage for an expanded "anti-terrorism war", promising more death and destruction and a further consolidation of US hegemony on the Third World. This war is also taking shape on the home front as civil rights are rapidly being eroded under "anti-terror laws" and as rights to criticize and dissent from policies of war, racism, and capitalist globalization are being criminalized. The past few months have witnessed a sporadic effort of antiwar demonstrations and anti-war coalitions have sprung up in numerous cities. Yet the lack of political analysis and of a coordination, amongst other factors, has prevented this would-be-movement from taking on a more consistent and effective form. At this juncture, the anti-war efforts of dissidents in North America must be intensified. There is a pressing need for the education of the general public and organizing of established organizations to stop the war. In the November 2001 by-elections, Concordia students overwhelmingly supported a motion calling for their union to take active steps in organizing against the war. Under the direction of its members, the Concordia Student Union is undertaking to meet the needs of members by contributing to the effort against the war by providing a forum for activists and organizations around the country. From Friday March 1st to Sunday, March 3rd, anti-war activists will gather, share information, describe their experiences and take active steps to organize against the war, in a conference at Concordia University, in Montreal, Quebec. With a $20,000 budget from the CSU, plus whatever other monies that can fundraise from other groups, the conference shall have a two fold aim: to inform and educate the public about the war; and, to provide an organizational forum for activists to come together and come up with a plan of action against the war. We envision an event with as much attendance as possible from Concordia students to all of the educational events, and then a system of delegated representatives to the second part of the conference, from any and every "civil society" organization (unions, student groups, affinity groups, political organizations NGO's etc.) that opposes the war to take part in plenary sessions to plan a series of co-ordinated activities against the war. At least 50% of the funding of the conference shall go towards providing travel subsidies for groups and delegates travelling to the conference. Groups of between 5 and 50 members are entitled to send one delegate, groups of 51-500 members two delegates, and groups with 501+ members three delegates. Individual observers are also welcome, but shall not have decision making power in the conference. There will be a sliding scale registration fee for groups and individuals, and we will be fundraising from various organizations and groups (and specifically trade unions) to increase the budget of the conference. (So if you or your organization can help us out with this matter, please get in touch!) The conference will take place over three days at Concordia University and will be organized around three central themes: "The war against "Terrorism" "Imperialism and the military industrial complex" "War at Home: anti-terrorism legislation, the loss of civil liberties, and the crack down on immigration" The final component would be the plenary sessions, entitled "Organizing against the War." Friday and portions of Saturday will be dedicated to educational presentations and discussions for the general public. The other portion of Saturday and all day on Sunday will be based on coming up with an action plan and an organizational frame work to building a broader anti-war movement within the Canadian state. With the conclusion of the conference it is hoped an agreement on strategy to coordinate and compliment each others efforts will result, thus increasing effectiveness in opposing the war. To get involved with the Conference, as a delegate, fundraiser, speaker, or organizer, you can leave a message for the anti-war committee at the CSU office at: 514-848-7474 [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can also talk to Samer from the committee at 514-262-4564. In solidarity, the CSU conference committee. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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