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European March for Trade Justice Not Free Trade

The objective of the march -which will be held on Monday 21 November- is to take into Brussels the voices of 15 million Europeans who have taken action this year as part of the Global Call to Action against Poverty, on the day that the EU Trade Ministers will give the EU Trade Commissioner the mandate for negotiations in Hong Kong.

21st November 2005 Brussels Background The European March for Trade Justice Not Free Trade is part of a series of actions being undertaken by GCAP, trade networks, the European Unions and other civil society organisations in the run up to the 6th WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong in December 2005. Objective Fifteen million Europeans have taken action this year as part of the Global Call to Action against Poverty. Many others are calling for trade justice through other civil society organisations and the European Trade Unions. The objective of the European March for Trade Justice Not Free Trade is to bring the voices of these European citizens to Brussels on the day that the EU Trade Ministers will give the EU Trade Commissioner the mandate for negotiations in Hong Kong. The objective is to ensure that the voices of the millions of European citizens are heard loud and clear. The message is that the European Union must: • Stop pushing developing countries to open up their economies to free trade
• Allow developing countries and poor people to protect their public services
• End dumping of rich country products in poor country markets The message is that the European Union must deliver Trade Justice not Free Trade. Event The current plans envisage well over 500 activists from GCAP, the European unions and trade networks participating in a mobilisation in Brussels. Activists from GCAP will start the action with a short march led by an open top double-decker bus with big numbers on top showing 15,000,000 and “Trade Justice not Free Trade” banners. There will be live music on the bus, and activists will come with “Trade Justice not Free Trade” placards, and flags from their own country and organisations. The march will start in Square de Meeus and finish in front of the Council building (Justus Lipsius, Rue de la Loi 175). We will arrive at about 10.30am where European unions and trade networks will join the mobilisation. In front of the Council building there will be two speeches – one from John Monks (General Secretary, ETUC) and one from Sylvia Borren (General Director and Advocacy Director, Novib). There will also be a compere from the Belgian unions who will introduce the speakers in French and Flemish. The press will be invited to take photos of the activists in front of the bus and also to interview activists. The GCAP photo op is the bus with “Trade Justice not Free Trade” and the 15,000,000. In the evening, a small delegation will meet Ian Pearson (UK Trade Minister) to hand over 20 A3 sized cards with “Trade Justice Not Free Trade”, one in each of the official languages of the EU. Note: • from 9.00-10.30 the Seattle to Brussels trade network will be holding a press conference and then some of their members will join the march with their “Stop the EU Corporate Trade Agenda” placards.
• From 11.30-12.30 the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) will hold a short march (from Rue Belliard to Council building). They anticipate about 300 people who will join us at the Council building at 12.30pm. Our speeches need to be finished by then. Schedule Please see below for the day's planned schedule: 8:00 Coordination group meet (Solidar office, rue du Commerce 22)
9:00 Activists meet (Square de Meeus)
9:30 March starts
10:30 March arrives in front of Council building where we join the Belgian unions
10:30-11:00 Welcome messages from national platforms
11:15 Short speeches from the top of the bus (1. French/Flemish compere 2. Sylvia Borren 3. John Monks). More music and on the spot press interviews with selected spokespeople.
11.30 Photo opportunity for press
12:00 Disperse
12:00 - Activists meet MEPs, Perm Reps, etc.
19:00 Handover of messages to EU Presidency (to be confirmed) Press A joint media briefing (GCAP and ETUC) has been produced. The key messages for the day are: • Respect poor countries’ right to decide on trade policies that will help them end poverty, respect worker’s rights and protect their environment.
• Stop pushing developing countries to open up their economies to free trade
• Allow developing countries and poor people to protect their public services
• End dumping of rich country products in poor country markets Press contacts: Alexandre (+32473861892)
Louis (+32473562260)
Kristian
Patricia (ETUC) (+32477770164) Spokespeople People available to talk to the press: · Martin Gordon (UK)
· Marc Maes (Belgium)
· Luis Morago (Spain)
· Guillaume Legaut (France)
· Dr. Reinhard Hermle (Germany)
· Marianno Iossa (Italy)

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