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WTO: Splinter Groups Breed as Activists Fracture
November 8, 2001
Summary
Activists worldwide are hosting solidarity protests this weekend against the World Trade Organization meeting in Qatar. The demonstrations are occurring under the shadow of a zero-tolerance policy taken by European and American security officials since the Sept. 11 attacks. But activist groups are under greater threat from internal rifts, which may lead to the formation of a more violent anarchist faction.
Analysis
Anti-globalization activists worldwide will be protesting this weekend against the World Trade Organization summit in Doha, Qatar. The meeting is the first for the WTO since its 1999 Seattle summit degenerated into widespread destruction and violence.
One of the largest weekend protests is expected in New York City Nov. 10, but unprecedented vigilance by police and disorganization among activists will likely keep the violence low. In the longer term a split between anti-globalization forces due to the Sept. 11 attacks could open the door for a more violent radical activist faction.
The protests in New York are going to set a benchmark for the strategic thinking of both U.S. activists and security officials alike. America's federal police agencies are now armed with legislation allowing them to conduct unprecedented surveillance on fringe groups and intercept protesters before they hit the streets. But even more troubling for activists are the emerging internal divisions over how to present their message in the new political climate.
U.S. President George W. Bush recently signed the USA Patriot Act of 2001, which allows federal authorities to detain permanent U.S. residents without any formal charges, randomly monitor voice and e-mail traffic and refuse re-entry to the country for suspected terrorist supporters. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., has suggested the legislation is a sacrifice of Fourth Amendment rights and could be used as a license by the government to target groups like Greenpeace.
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(Source)
Dan
WTO: Splinter Groups Breed as Activists Fracture . . .