Another World is possible - for global justice against the policies of the WEF - English Appeal of the Salzburg Social Forum

Demonstration on the 15 September 2002 in Salzburg, Austria


In the midst of September 2002, Salzburg is going to change into a police fortress for a couple of days. The WEF (World Economic Forum) is meeting once again in Salzburg. Cordons, identity checks, repressions and hindrances are going to characterise the whole city.

Neoliberal capitalism endangers the world peace

The effects of the economically extremistic neoliberal policy of the WEF effects people worldwide, also in Austria. With the demolition of the welfare state, the lowering of non-wage labour costs and the privatisation of the public sector, the state steals itself out of its social responsibility, at the mulitnational groups commission. Health, education, social security and the rights of the wage earners are sacrified for the interest of only a few companies in making profit.

To oppose this policy effectively, the Salzburg Social Forum was founded a few weeks ago. Besides social, cultural and religious organisations, labour unions, the Austrian and Salzburg student associations, numerous fractions and even political parties like the Salzburg Green Party, the Salzburg Bürgerliste and the Austrian Communist Party, as well as a lot of committed independent individuals.

We fight against a globalisation, which is based on direct and structural violence.
We ask all participants of the demonstration on the 15 September 2002 and all other events of protest to act peacefully and non-violently.
We also request the polity, the media and the police to take their responsibility for a non-violent course of events.

We believe that only a broad movement that acts in solidarity is able to push through alternatives to the present policy, which pays no heed on the interests of wage earners, women, migrants, youth and the elderly.

Together we want to point out that it is no unwritten law that globalisation means poverty and deprivation of rights.

We want to present in advance, as well as during the summit of the WEF, alternative concepts to the globalisation, which is decreed from above by the political and economic global players. We want to make our protest public and to point the way to the future by stating cultural counterpositions.

15 September 2002 DEMONSTRATION IN SALZBURG

Let?s not make it too easy for the radical extremists in the economy!
Let?s make our peaceful protest public!
Take part in the political, cultural, creative and content rich events of protest in the WEF-cage Salzburg!
Bring along all people who are effected and taken aback by the consequences of the neoliberal policy:


MILLIONS
WITH SLEEPING BAGS
TO SALZBURG!