Walk for Global Justice, Victoria, Sat., April 21, 2001

It's our 20th anniversary!

Since 1981, people in Victoria devoted to peace, justice and the environment have gathered on a Saturday in April to unite and celebrate.

For the first ten years, this was called the Peace Walk.

In the 1990s, we have called our celebration the Earth Walk.

As the Walk entered its third decade, its name and focus changed once again - into the Walk for Global Justice.

This change reflects a growing concern over large free trade deals and their strong tendency to lower democratic, environment, health and labour standards worldwide.

On the same day our own celebration in Victoria, a far more serious event will be taking place in Québec City.

Protesters from across the continent will gather in April 21st to oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).

Though the Walk for Global Justice will take on a much happier tone, nevertheless it will be a show of solidarity with those in Québec.

But as always, the walk will encompass all concerns about the planet and its people. It is also taking place in the middle of Earth Week, a whole series of ecological activities for one week in April.

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2001 Walk...

Date: Saturday April 21st, 2001, rain or shine!
Start of Walk: Noon at Centennial Square, downtown Victoria.
Festivities and Speakers: 1 pm at the Legislature Buildings.

Contact:

Email: info@justicewalk.ca
Call: 250.592-8307
Write: Box 8307, Victoria BC, V8W 3R9, Canada

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2001 Program

To learn more about regular events, click here!

Speakers

MCs: Art Farquharson and Jenn Katz

Deirdre Kelly, Central America Support Committee
Tim Boultbee, Int'l. Observer, Zapatista March
Stacey Chapel,
Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group
Splitting the Sky, Ts'Peten Defender
Colin Graham, Victoria Labour Council
Ken James, Youbou sawmill worker
Joan Russow, Council of Canadians
Betty Krawczyk, Elaho defender

Musicians

Solstix
Sunyata
Jeremy Walsh
Shillelegh
Virgo Rising
Fishin' Derby
Psychebilly Funktion
dj Otis Avery
Radical Cheerleaders

Related Links
Regular Events
Volunteer for the Walk!

2001 News Releases and Announcements

News about the Walk will be updated here. Photographs and other materials are available by request.

News releases from 2001 are below:

• PSA For release February 23 to March 15, 2001
• News Release, February 23, 2001

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Public Service Announcement

Walk for Global Justice

For Release: February 23 to March 15, 2001

This year's Earth Walk has been re-christened the "Walk for Global Justice: Celebrating Resistance". Join the fun for a full afternoon of music and speakers, on Saturday, April 21st. The Walk starts at 12 noon at Victoria City Hall, and continues with a stage from 1 to 4 pm at the Legislature. Volunteers and musicians are still needed. For information call 592-1870, or visit the Web site at http://justicewalk.ca .

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Information:
Alan Rycroft
250.592-8307
media@justicewalk.ca

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News Release

For Immediate Release: February 23, 2001

Victoria - Once again, a large and energetic coalition of people and organizations are bringing Victoria the 20th Annual "Walk for Global Justice: Celebrating Resistance".

The Walk is being organized by justice, environmental, labour and peace organizations, and concerned citizens. In its first decade the "Peace Walk" was focussed on peace. In the 1990s it became the "Earth Walk". This year is the first "Walk for Global Justice".

This year's Walk will be held Saturday, April 21, starting at 12 noon at Victoria City Hall and proceeding down Government Street to the Legislature from 1 to 4 pm, where over 50 local organizations will have information tables and displays. There will be plenty of music and fun events for all ages, plus a Fossil Fuel Free Parade for those that prefer to cycle, scoot or skate.

This year's walk will focus on the unjust and far-reaching effects of globalization. "Corporate globalization is hurting us on Vancouver Island and right across Canada," said spokesperson Kathryn Saunders. "Despite profitability and government subsidies, Timber West has just closed Youbou Mill in order to export raw rogs. Globalization is putting hard-working people out of work."

There will be several public events building up to the Walk, including a teach-in about the the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), a secret trade agreement being negotiated by all 34 countries in North, Central, South America and the Carribean, excluding Cuba.

"Our Walk will be in solidarity with those opposing the FTAA meetings in Quebec City on April 21," said Saunders. "The FTAA threatens the privatization of our health care and the export of more jobs to cheap labour markets. It means the deregulation of environmental standards and practices that will destroy natural resources and green spaces. It means more money for the military and less for social needs."

Volunteers are needed to help with the 20th Annual Walk for Global Justice. For more information, call 592-1870, or visit the Walk's Web site at http://justicewalk.ca .

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Information:
Alan Rycroft
250.592-8307
media@justicewalk.ca

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Special thanks

...to BCGEU, Bill Hartley Insurance, Canadian Autoworkers, Capital Regional District, City of Victoria, Community Support Workers Union, Mobilization for Global Justice and the Victoria Peace Centre for their very generous support of the Walk.

2001 Endorsers

Over 50 endorsers had tables and activities at the 2001 Walk for Global Justice: Celebrating Resistance.

Amnesty International, BC Anti-Prohibition League, Bill Hartley Insurance Services, British Columbia Government & Services Employees Union (BCGEU), Canadian Autoworkers (CAW Locals 4234 and 4276), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE Locals 50 and 951), Capital Regional District, Central American Support Committee, Citizens for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (CETA), City of Victoria, Community Support Workers Union, Conscience Canada, Council of Canadians, Econews, Global Village Store, Goods for Cuba, Greater Victoria Teachers Association, Green Party (Victoria-Beacon Hill), V.I. Human Rights Coalition, International Socialists, James Bay Community Project, LETS Registry Victoria, Mobilization for Global Justice, Monday Magazine, Raging Grannies, Sacred Heart Social Justice Committee, Sierra Club of BC, First Unitarian Church of Victoria (Social Responsibility Committee), Vancouver Island Earth Works Society (VIEWS), Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition, Victoria Peace Centre, Mobilization for Global Justice, and the Western Canada Wilderness Committee .