Santa Cruz Delegation to Cancun Takes Part in Anti-WTO Action

Today, members of the Santa Cruz Delegation to Cancun joined six other affinity groups in an action within the security zone at the 5th WTO Ministerial Conference. The police were peaceful, and there were no arrests.

The activists met at the Hard Rock Café in the Hotel Zone a block down the street from the Convention Center where the meetings were being held. At a prearranged time, a banner was unfurled that read “WTO Kills.”

Demonstrators in front of the banner held cardboard gravestones that declared RIP for water, basic services, oceans, public schools, health care, farmers, forests, and safe food. The sign for farmers was particularly poignant, as it follows the suicide of Korean farmer Lee Kyung-hae in protest of the WTO two days prior.

Each person read out a prepared statement, explaining why the impacts of WTO policies are leading to the deaths of the issues on their particular gravestone. The sentences were read in both English and Spanish, highlighting that these losses affect both those in developed as well as developing countries.

After stating their case, the group began chanting, “OMC, mata!” (Spanish for “WTO kills”). The large banner was turned around, so that it read “A Better World Is Possible.”

After chanting several times, the activists began singing, “The earth is not for sale” to the tune of the classic song, “We Shall Overcome.” This was followed by one of the most famous Spanish chants, “Si se puedes,” which roughly means “Yes, it can be done!”

Almost immediately after the banner was unfurled, the group was approached by WTO Security. Two members of the action engaged the officers immediately, and so the action was able to continue for about ten minutes. Then security demanded that the banner and the gravestones be habded over, apparently because they were considered “propaganda.”

Although the Mexican Constitution guarantees freedom of ideas, when the WTO is in town, this freedom can be easily taken away by the police.

The activists then dispersed. Apparently they were not followed by the police.

Although most of the actions opposing the WTO have taken place outside of the security zone, other activists besides the Santa Cruz Delegation have attempted to make their voices heard near the convention center. Two days ago, several local people had gathered, holding signs and carrying a puppet. And earlier today, three activists hung a banner that read "Que Se Vayan Todos,” or “Everyone Leave” on a crane overhanging the Convention Center.