Memorial for Carlo Giuliani at the Italian Consulate

Open Letter to G8 Leaders

July 21, 2001

Dear G8 Leaders,

Over 100,000 people from all over the world have participated in a series of protests against the G8 Summit this weekend. Trade unionists, NGO's, environmentalists, human rights activists, farmers, peasants, socialists, anarchists and others have all worked together to demand that the government's of the world's richest nations change course. Global warming, international downsizing, health and education privatization, water, electric and social service deregulation are putting the very necessities of life out of the reach of hundreds of millions of people around the world.

These emergencies are what motivate the huge numbers of ordinary people to interrupt their normal lives and march in Genoa. Many more would undoubtedly join them, but for the restriction of border passage by European authorities. Millions around the world are watching the demonstrations and stand with them in solidarity and support of their demands.

The Friday, July 20 killing of young protester Carlo Giuliani by Italian police was the logical outcome of the Italian and G8 security forces decision to militarize Genoa. Making a mockery of democracy, the G8 leaders barricaded themselves in a medieval style fortress and put 20,000 armed police in the streets. This follows a now familiar pattern where G8 governments attempt to manufacture panic campaigns against anti-globalization protesters as a justification for pre-planned, overwhelming use of tear gas, clubs, rubber bullets, armored personnel carriers, and now, live ammunition.

Enough already! Instead of ordering their troops to suppress protestors, it is time they end the hypocrisy of dining of caviar and champagne while 19,000 children a day die of malnutrition and easily preventable diseases.

We demand elimination of all debts owed G8 banks and governments by developing nations.
We demand immediate compliance with the Kyoto Accords.
We demand $9 billion for AIDS prevention and research as recommended by the U.N.
We demand an end to free trade policies, which put profit over human need.
We demand the vigorous prosecution of the officer guilty of killing Carlos Guiliani, as well as an investigation into the culpability of G8 security forces and leaders.

If these demands are met, millions of lives can be saved in the coming months and years and millions more can feel secure that their jobs, health and education will not be auctioned off to the lowest bidder. If these demands are not met, we will do everything in our power to ensure the protests keep growing.

Justice delayed is justice denied.

Signed,

Bay Area Anti-Corporate Globalization Activists