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Protests Endorsed NGLTF Members to Join Many Thousands in Washington, D.C. Non-Violent Activists Plan Meeting on the Mall -- April 16-17 |
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Compiled By GayToday
Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to gather at the Ellipse, between the White House and the Mall, beginning at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 16. The protests are being organized by the Mobilization for Global Justice. IMF and World Bank policies have made it difficult for third-world nations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, to be able to provide HIV/AIDS medications to their citizens. Approximately 90 percent of the people with HIV around the world live in developing countries and have no access to any medications, according to the Health Global Access Project (Health GAP). The situation is exacerbated by a World Bank policy known as "structural adjustment" that forces debt-ridden, lesser-developed nations to slash domestic spending on such items as health care, education, condoms, HIV testing, public awareness campaigns, medication and treatment for sexually transmitted disease.
"IMF/World Bank policies also have helped degrade the environments of many developing countries, causing deforestation, flooding and decertification as economies are forced to shift cash crop export agriculture in order to make debt payments. "These policies have caused rapid urbanization and the displacement and impoverishment of millions of people. Finally, the IMF and World Bank are closely linked to the World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO policies could place at risk local and national non-discrimination protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, as well as other labor protections both in the United States and abroad, for workers, which some free-trade proponents view as "unfair trade practices." Apuzzo added that a number of groups serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community have endorsed the peaceful, nonviolent protests. "The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is pleased to join other groups such as Pride at Work, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, ACT-UP New York, ACT-UP Philadelphia, D.C. Lesbian Avengers, Queers for Racial and Economic Justice New York and the National Queer Commission in endorsing this important event," she said. A forum on HIV/AIDS, the IMF/World Bank and on corporate globalization will be held the day before the protests, at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at All Souls Church, 16th and Columbia N.W., Washington, D.C. |
Washington, D.C.--The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force announced yesterday it
will support peaceful, nonviolent protests against the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
and World Bank April 16-17 in Washington, D.C.
