WASHINGTON -- April 12 -- Speakers include: Basav Sen (MGJ); Vanessa Dixon (DC Health Care Coalition); Salih Booker (Africa Action); Njoki Njoroge Njehu (50 Years Is Enough); Debayani Kar (Jubilee USA)

The confirmation of Paul Wolfowitz, chief architect of the invasion and occupation of Iraq, as President of the World Bank highlights the connection between globalization and militarism, according to anti-globalization activists who are organizing demonstrations at the upcoming spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank.

"Paul Wolfowitz's unanimous confirmation as President of the World Bank, despite his inept coordination of the illegal invasion and ongoing occupation of Iraq," said Morrigan Phillips of the Mobilization for Global Justice, "has only confirmed what the rest of world has long known: the international financial institutions are not agents of valuable economic development, but rather instruments of global oppression."

In 2000, just five months after the famous WTO demonstrations in Seattle, the "A16" demonstrations brought nearly 30,000 activists in Washington to protest the IMF and World Bank at their spring meetings. In 2005, MGJ has again organized demonstrations at the April 16th spring meetings.

The upcoming mobilizations will emphasize that people, including the marginalized and impoverished, are already taking responsibility for their own economic destiny. They will focus on evidence from the Global South, as well as from Washington, DC and other parts of the Global North. A BETTER WORLD IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

Look for us at the following events:

FRIDAY April 15th: Rally outside G7 Meeting -- 12 noon -- U.S. Treasury (15th & New York, N.W.) Inspecting the G7 and the IFIs, Serving Notice that their Foundations are Unstable -Speakers include: Njoki Njoroge Njehu (50 Years Is Enough); Jonah Gokova (Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt & Development); Neil Watkins (Jubilee USA Network); Lidy Nacpil (Jubilee South)

FRIDAY April 15th:
Teach-In "Local to Local Connections: Linking Community Issues Globally" -- 6pm -- 8pm - St. Stephen's Church (16th & Newton, N.W.)

SATURDAY April 16th: Rally & March! Turn Your Backs on the World Bank and IMF! -11:30 am: Pre-rally Press conference -12 noon: Rally in Murrow Park, outside IMF/World Bank (18th & Pennsylvania, N.W.) -1:00 pm: March to Dupont Circle!

SUNDAY April 17th: Constructing a Better World! -- Community Outreach with We Are Family
MGJ continues its commitment to global justice and building a better world with community actions right here in DC.

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