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NGOs Shut Out of the WSSD

August 26, 2002

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Even before the official start of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) on August 26, the verdict is out on its outcome. The summit has no credibility with the international civil society which is questioning the legitimacy of the process. Activists are being denied their basic right to protest--the reason being a "security alert" that claims that activists are planning violent protests. To please the "international guests," South African government is using its police and military power on those who protest.

This started with arrests of activists working with the Landless Peoples' Movement (LPM) of South Africa who have launched a national campaign to mobilize thousands of landless rural and urban South Africans for a Week of the Landless to be held in Johannesburg during the summit. LPM is denouncing the hollow notion of sustainable development without land.

To challenge arrests and to demand the right to free speech, a peaceful rally and candle vigil was organized on August 24 by the Anti-Privatization Forum (APF) of South Africa. The rally started at the WITS University campus at 6 pm and international activists from around the world including Maude Barlow, Tony Clarke, Oscar Oliviera, Noami Kline, Njoki Njehu, Satyu Sarangi, Rashida bi, Kenny Bruno and myself (and many others) walked arm in arm with South African activists including Virginia and Trevor from the APF to lead the rally. We had barely gone a few blocks, when the riot police moved in, throwing percussion grenades. At least 4 grenades were used at the crowd which included children, elderly and international activists.

These grenades make a very loud sound and cause a lot of smoke, which had the desired effect of intimidating a peaceful rally. Children started crying. As people started running, children were separated from their parents. A staff member of Polaris Institute in Canada suffered first degree burns and had to be rushed to the hospital, while some fell and several others were injured.

While some activists with children left the scene, most of the protestors stayed, though we were not allowed to go any further. The international activists stayed in front along with the local activists. The international press including the BBC, CNN and many others covered the peaceful rally and then the violent handling of the protestors by the police. It was the presence of the international press and activists which prevented the police from making arrests, or using tear gas and rubber bullets.

We sang songs of freedom, danced, and reminded the police that they are dealing with activists who fought against apartheid in South Africa. That struggle is not over. The new economic order seeks to colonize us all. It does so through repression, through exploitation and plunder of natural resources and humanity--through its weapons and its police. Our vibrant and diverse movement has the power of the people. It gains power from being fearless. It has the power of being "One." Though we come from different parts of the world, we are united in our struggles.

Yes, that was the chant yesterday, "People United Will Never be Defeated."

Amandla -- Power!!