Thursday, June 16, 2005
SWOP homepageWebpoll: United States Social Forum in ABQ?
SouthWest Organizing Project put in a gamble bid for Albuquerque to host the 2006 United States Social Forum (USSF), parallel to de-centralized World Social Forum events taking place around the world. (You can vote later in this post or to the right.) Albuquerque is now a finalist along with Atlanta and San Francisco. The proposals from the other two sites really are developed, thoughtful plans, and Albuquerque could just be in it for perspective, but...
The event is predicted to draw at least 20,000 people. ABQ city councilors Debbie O'Malley and Eric Griego sent the USSF site committee a letter in support of the bid.
The letter states: "...Our city has become a hub for progressive thinking and community organizing, with a variety of current citywide initiatives leading our political landscape, including a citywide 'Living Wage' campaign and a regional 'Planned Growth Strategy.' ...If chosen as the host site, please rest assured that our local public and private sector entities will work together to assist every logistical coordination need of the event and that we will also put forth every amount of effort necessary to ensure that the Forum's realization is a success."
Other elected officials support the proposal, but did not sign the letter.
Hundreds of thousands of people attend the WSF every year as a people's response to the World Economic Forum where leaders of rich nations and multinationals gather annually in Davos, Switzerland to decide our collective economic fate. It has proven to be valuable space for people's movements critical of corporate globalization to converge and network in solidarity.
A SWOP representative is scheduled to be on a conference call with the USSF site committee on Monday, June 20, 2005.
The weakest part of our proposal to hold the USSF in ABQ is support from other organizations, activists or even our membership. Of the cities in contention, none would benefit more than Albuquerque, both in terms of economic development and to consolidate a progressive vision for the city. Organizations and Unions are encouraged to vote in the webpoll, post comments and contact me, particularly if interested in contributing to bringing the USSF to Albuquerque. (Ultimately, the other sites are really strong.)
(from 2003 WSF - SWOP in front of large march)
From the SWOP proposal:"We propose Albuquerque, New Mexico as a site for [the 2006 USSF] as the metropolitan center of a region confronted with the daily realities of a militarized border separating empire from the global south, as a virtual resource colony of the United States, and as an area with a large representation of people of color. We believe it is essential [the USSF] happen in the heart of the struggle in the United States, in areas that will enable the most representation from farmworkers, immigrants and working, low income families."
"The location of the USSF in one of the poorest states, one of the most profound areas of struggle in the nation, would also send a clear message that we are a movement located at the grassroots."
Personally, I believe there is no better place to begin to Take Back America from the interests of the powerful, rich and few. In the end, this will not happen in Washington or the coasts.
The event is predicted to draw at least 20,000 people. ABQ city councilors Debbie O'Malley and Eric Griego sent the USSF site committee a letter in support of the bid.
The letter states: "...Our city has become a hub for progressive thinking and community organizing, with a variety of current citywide initiatives leading our political landscape, including a citywide 'Living Wage' campaign and a regional 'Planned Growth Strategy.' ...If chosen as the host site, please rest assured that our local public and private sector entities will work together to assist every logistical coordination need of the event and that we will also put forth every amount of effort necessary to ensure that the Forum's realization is a success."
Other elected officials support the proposal, but did not sign the letter.
Hundreds of thousands of people attend the WSF every year as a people's response to the World Economic Forum where leaders of rich nations and multinationals gather annually in Davos, Switzerland to decide our collective economic fate. It has proven to be valuable space for people's movements critical of corporate globalization to converge and network in solidarity.
A SWOP representative is scheduled to be on a conference call with the USSF site committee on Monday, June 20, 2005.
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Karlos says:The weakest part of our proposal to hold the USSF in ABQ is support from other organizations, activists or even our membership. Of the cities in contention, none would benefit more than Albuquerque, both in terms of economic development and to consolidate a progressive vision for the city. Organizations and Unions are encouraged to vote in the webpoll, post comments and contact me, particularly if interested in contributing to bringing the USSF to Albuquerque. (Ultimately, the other sites are really strong.)
(from 2003 WSF - SWOP in front of large march)
From the SWOP proposal:"We propose Albuquerque, New Mexico as a site for [the 2006 USSF] as the metropolitan center of a region confronted with the daily realities of a militarized border separating empire from the global south, as a virtual resource colony of the United States, and as an area with a large representation of people of color. We believe it is essential [the USSF] happen in the heart of the struggle in the United States, in areas that will enable the most representation from farmworkers, immigrants and working, low income families."
"The location of the USSF in one of the poorest states, one of the most profound areas of struggle in the nation, would also send a clear message that we are a movement located at the grassroots."
Personally, I believe there is no better place to begin to Take Back America from the interests of the powerful, rich and few. In the end, this will not happen in Washington or the coasts.
