FTAA protesters driving force in global social justice movement

HEADLINES: "Breaking the Barricades: The Battle Against the Free Trade Area of the Americas in Quebec City;" "Corporate Security State Protects Wealthy Elite from Citizen Dissent;" "Mother of Murder Victim Resists Calls for Vengeance and Works to Abolish Death Penalty"

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Scott Harris/ Anna Manzo

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(1) "Breaking the Barricades: The Battle Against the Free Trade Area of the Americas in Quebec City"

Behind a 2.4 mile long concrete and wire fence, leaders from every nation in the hemisphere, except for Cuba gathered in Quebec City for the Summit of the Americas April 20-22 to negotiate the Free Trade Area of the Americas. The FTAA, an economic treaty modeled after the controversial North American Free Trade Agreement, would extend many of the same regulations found in NAFTA to the nations of North, South and Central America.

While the heads of state met with their corporate allies to move toward implementation of the FTAA by 2005, activists outside this 400-year-old walled city staged militant protests condemning the secrecy of the negotiations and the erosion of democracy they claim is the result of surrendering government power to transnational corporations. Between The Lines' Scott Harris has this special report.

(2) "Corporate Security State Protects Wealthy Elite from Citizen Dissent"

The week preceding the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City more than 2,000 delegates from around the hemisphere gathered at the People's Summit held in a large tent at Quebec's old port. There, they articulated an alternative vision to corporate-led globalization, the target of a growing global social justice movement in Quebec City and elsewhere. Labor leaders, environmentalists, human rights and indigenous rights activists were among the participants.

In the final session of the People's Summit, April 21st, French farmer Jose Bove, well-known for his 1999 bulldozing of a McDonald's restaurant in France, spoke to an overflow crowd. Also speaking was Council of Canadians vice chair Tony Clarke who strongly condemned the development of the "corporate security state."

(3)"Mother of Murder Victim Resists Calls for Vengeance and Works to Abolish Death Penalty"

Newspaper editor and award-winning syndicated columnist Antoinette Bosco's world was turned upside down when in 1993 she received a phone call informing her that her son and daughter-in-law had been shot to death in their Montana home. When the 18-year-old murderer was eventually arrested, Antoinette, a devout Catholic and life-long opponent of capital punishment, was faced with a justice system where rage and vengeance were an integral response to violence.

Working through the shock and grief of the senseless murder, Antoinette sought the kinship of families also dealing with violence and loss. Surprising to some, she also sought out the friendship of parents of executed murderers. Eventually coming to terms with her personal tragedy, Antoinette Bosco became a tireless campaigner to end the death penalty and reform the nation's flawed criminal justice system.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Antoinette Bosco, author of "Choosing Mercy: A Mother of Murder Victims Pleads to End the Death Penalty," who discusses the ultimate personal test of her life-long opposition to the death sentence and her activism in the national movement to abolish capital punishment.

Antoinette Bosco is author of "Choosing Mercy: A Mother of Murder Victims Pleads to End the Death Penalty," published by Orbis Books. Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation can be contacted by calling (617) 868-0007 or by visiting their Web site: http:www.mvfr.org

(4) Under-reported news summary

South Korea alarmed by Taiwanese plan to bury nuclear waste in North Korea just 56 miles north of Seoul. (World Press Review, May 2001)

Bush administration seeking development of oil, coal, shale, oil and natural gas reserves in Rocky Mountains. (In These Times, April 30, 2001)

Progressives and African American activists wonder if the Rev. Al Sharpton is up to the task of filling the role of the nation's leading civil rights leader. (The Nation, April 16, 2001)

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