WTO, Food and Dirt, Hong Kong and Koreans from the US.

3-18-06 LA Peace March- Pictures

2006-03-21T02:22:00.000+08:00

http://la.indymedia.org/news/2006/03/150710.php

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2006-03-21T00:23:00.000+08:00

[미주]동포들, 헐리욷 반전평화시위서 활약,
머리 띠 매고 반전평화 구호들고 풍물패와 함께 신명나는 행진

[로스엔젤레스=민족통신 종합] 남가주한인노동상담소(KIWA)를 비롯하여 범민련, 통일맞이나성포럼, 재미동포서부연합회,민주노동당 미주후원회, 민들레, 민족통신 등 진보단체들, 개인, 2세 청년운동가들로 구성된 재미동포평화연대(Korean-Americans for Peace, 약칭 KAP) 소속 회원들은 18일 정오 헐리욷과 바인에서 출발한 반전평화 시위에 참가하여 부쉬정권의 이라크 침략을 규탄하는 한편 미국의 부당한 한반도 정책을 폭로하고 그 시정을 촉구하는 전단을 뿌렸다. 이 날 KAP은 지난 어느 시위보다도 많은 동포들을 동원했을 뿐 아니라 버스승객조합(Bus Riders Union: BRU), 남아시아 네트워크(South Asia Network), 환경개선위원회(Committes for Better Environment)등 12개의 단체로 만들어진 다른 미국인 연대그룹(가칭: 커뮤니티 평화연합)과 함께 연대시위단을 만들어 참가했다.

행진을 마친 시위군중들은 헐리욷과 하이랜드에서 정치집회를 개최
지난 반년동안 모임을 가지며 반전평화운동의 대중화를 함께 모색해 온 커뮤니티 평화연합은 아직 공식적인 단체는 아니다. 동포단체로는 한인노동상담소가 가입되어 있다. KAP과 커뮤니티 평화연합이 연대하여 구성한 3백50여명의 행진단은 이 날 시위에서 가장 많은 인원이 동원된 시위단으로 알려져 있다. KAP에서는 하얀 광목에 붉은 글짜로 PEACE라고 찍힌 머리띠 350개를 준비하여 이 날 행진단원 모두에게 나누어 주었다. 이 날 연대행진단의 선두는 KAP의 대형깃발을 든 김현숙씨와 원로운동가--박천흠 선생, 양은식박사, 배광웅 의장(범민련 재미본부), 왕용운 선생, 이만영 선생, 김현환 회장(재미동포서부연합회), 정건이 회장(민노당 미주 후원회), 백승배 목사(민족통신)--가 한글과 영문으로 된 포스터를 각각 들고 섰다. 지난 12월 WTO 홍콩투쟁에 다녀 온 한인노동상담소의 박영준회장과 청년운동가 정미경씨가 이 날 행진을 지휘하며 세계적으로 정평이 난 남한 시위문화의 정수를 전했다. 풍물패를 동반한 행진단은 “다운 다운 죠지 부쉬”, “전쟁 미워 평화 좋아”, “Stop the U.S.” “We want justice for the 3rd world” 등의 한국어와 영어로 된 구호를 외쳤다. 원로운동가들이 앞장을 섰고 길거리에 들어 누워 아리랑도 부르고, 앉거나 갑짜기 뛰기도 하고, 열차놀이도 했던 KAP 의 특이한 행진은 이 날 미국 언론들과 사진작가들의 큰 관심을 받았다. 행진 후 집회에서는 정미경씨가 KAP을 대표하여 “ 지난 60여년 동안 남한에 주둔해 온 미군은 한반도의 자주평화통일을 위해 철수해야 한다.”는 요지의 연설을 하며 “미군이 이라크에서 철수해야 하는 것처럼 평택 미군 기지에서도 떠나야 한다.”며 평택미군기지 확장이전 반대의 메세지를 보냈다. WTO 홍콩투쟁에서 입었던 옅은 갈색의 상의를 입고 나온 정미경씨는 또 미국이 주도하고 있는 북미자유무역협정( NAFTA)과 중남미자유무역협정( CAFTA)을 한미간 자유무역협정(FTA)과 비교하며, 식량주권과 경제주권을 위해 홍콩 WTO 반대투쟁에 이어 FTA투쟁에서도 계속 앞장 서서 싸우고 있는 남한농민들과의 연대를 결의하기도 했다. 정미경씨는 또 KAP 바로 전에 연설을 한 “사우스 센츄럴 농장”대표단에게도 연대의 메세지를 보냈다. 13년동안 농사를 지어 온 농장을 부동산개발업자에게 뺏기고 취근 퇴거명령을 받은 “사우스 센츄럴 농장” 대표단은 이 날 연설에서 “ 우리와 코리아와 아프리카 등 세계 농민들이 당하는 수난은 모두 하나다”며 미국의 신자유주의 세계화정책을 규탄했다. 2만여명이 참가한 이날 시위 군중들은 선세트 블라바드를 돌아 하이랜드 에비뉴와 헐리욷 블러바드에 준비된 연단주변에 모여 폴 해기스를 포함 마틴 쉬언 등 연예계 인사들, 글로리아 로메로 같은 정치인, 체육인, 교육계 인사, 언론계 등 각계 인사들이 연단에 올라 이라크 침략전쟁 3돌을 돌이켜 보며 부쉬 행정부의 부도덕 전쟁을 지적하는 한편 카트리나 재해등에서 보여준 부쉬 정권의 자세, 미국내 사회복지예산도 대폭삭감하면서 전쟁예산은 물쓰듯 해 온 부쉬 정권을 향해 신랄히 비판했다. 이날 시위는 전국평화운동단체인 앤서(ANSWER-L.A.)가 주관했고 재미동포평화연대(공동코디네이터: 김영희, 김현숙)를 포함하여 각계 평화지원 단체들이 공동후원하여 진행됐다. 재미동포평화연대 회원들은 시위를 마치고 남가주노동상담소에 모여 뒷풀이 겸 저녁식사들을 나누며 이날 시위가 성공적으로 이뤄진 것을 자축했다. 한편, 국제 반전평화공동행동의 사이트인 www.march-in-march.org에 의하면 3월 17일부터 20일사이 전 세계 243개도시에서 이라크전쟁 3주년을 맞아 동시다발로 반전평화시위가 열린다. 미국에서는 전국 50개주의 주요도시에서 대규모의 평화행진이 열린 것을 비롯하여 5백개 이상의 반전평화행사가 준비된 것으로 알려졌다.

재미동포평화연대 대표들이 연단에 올라가 코리아 문제 제기-정미경씨가 마이크를 잡고 연설

재미동포평화연대 깃발을 앞세우고 동포원로들, 풍물패들이 이어서 반전평화시위 행진을 전개하고 있다.

동포청년 풍물패가 신명을 돋구는 사물놀이 공연

한살도 안된 9달짜리 솔군도 부모를 따라 시위현장에 참가

우리말과 영어로 된 구호를 앞뒤 뒤집으며 연습에 들어간 원로참가자들

뒤집으면 우리말로 된 구호 나오고 또 뒤집으면 영어로 된 구호가..

박영준 남가주노동상담소 소장(오른쪽)과 정미경씨가 시위중 안내말 설명

이슬람계 학생들이 반전평화시위 참가후 폐회장 거리에서 회교도 의식거행

각계 언론들의 취재열기도 뜨거운 반전평화시위 정치집회장 분위기

KAP행진대가 길거리에 들어 눕자 취재진들이 몰려와 사진을 찍고 있다.
다음은 이 날 시위장에서 배부한 한반도 정세 영문홍보지의 한글 원문이다.

....................................................................................
미국정부는 진정 한반도의 자주평화통일을 원하는가?
---2006년 정세를 중심으로---

1.한반도의 자주평화통일과 미 부쉬정권의 군사 제국주의2000년 6월 15일, 자주평화통일의 정신에 입각한 남북공동성명이 발표된 이후 사회전반에 걸쳐 역사적인 남북교류가 이루어졌다. 지난 5년동안 남에서 북의 금강산을 방문한 관광객만 1백만명이 넘는다. 남의 기술과 자본, 북의 노동력이 결합하여 건설된 대규모의 개성공단은 남북 경제공동체의 모델이 되고 있다. 2005년, 남은 북의 제 2의 교역 상대국이었다. 반세기가 넘게 만나지 못하고 있는 천만 남북이산가족의 상봉에도 얼마간 진전이 있었다. 지난 5년동안 진전된 남북관계의 질과 양은 그 이전 50년동안의 진전을 훨씬 능가한다. 지난 5년은 남북해외의 코리안들이 서로 손을 잡고 뜨겁게 만나 분단 코리아에서 하나의 코리아로 도약한 역사적인 6.15시대였다. 한편, 지난해 9월 베이징에서 북의 핵문제를 들러싸고 남, 북, 미국, 중국, 일본, 러시아가 모여 발표한 6자 공동성명은 참가국들이 군사주의 패권의식을 버리고 실천만 제대로 하면 한반도 통일의 실현은 물론 동북아시아 일대가 평화와 안정속에서 공동의 번영을 추구할 수 있는 역사적인 국제문건이었다. 물론 미국의 부쉬정권은 군사주의를 선택했다. 그리고 남북 양국에 정치, 경제,군사적 압력의 강도를 높이며 모처럼 무르익어 가던 남북 자주평화통일과 동북아 안정에 브레이크를 걸었다..

2. 미국은 남에서, 북에서 손을 떼라!

대북정책
*미국정부는 북한 핵에 대해 공평한 정책을 실시하라.
지구상에서 가장 많은 핵부기를 가진 미국은 북에 대해 인디아, 이스라엘등과 구별하여 이중적인 핵정책을 쓰며 대량살상무기를 가진 적대국으로 다루고 있다. 한국전쟁 이후 미국과 아직도 준전시상태이며, 자주국방권을 가진 북에 대해 미국은 일방적으로 선핵포기 후경수로를 강요하지 말아야 한다. 그리고 북한과 속히 휴전을 끝내고 평화협정을 맺어야 한다.

*미국정부는 북한의 인권상황을 정치적으로 악용말라.
미국의 경제봉쇄와 90년대의 자연재해로 식량난을 겪고 있던 일부 북한주민들이 해외로 나왔다. 이들중 소수가 NED(National Endowment Democracy)나 Freedom House같은 미국의 우익 NGO나 남한의 친미반통일세력에 포섭, 매수되어 왜곡, 과장된 증언을 주로 하고 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 미국정부는 이런 오도된 북한의 인권실태를 악용하여 현 북한정권을 국제사회에서 고립시키고 체제전복을 기도하고 있다. 미국이 북한의 인민들을 진정 위한다면 우선 경제제재부터 풀어야 한다.

*미국정부는 북한이 위조지폐를 제조, 유통했다는 분명한 증거를 제시하라.
6자 공동성명 발표 이후 미국은 별 명확한 증거도 없이 북한이 위폐를 만들어 유통했다고 계속 말로만 주장하는 한편 북한과 거래하고 있는 여러 외국은행에 금융조치를 내렸다. 제2의 대북경제제재인 이 금융조치로 인해 북한은 국제사회에서 정상적인 무역거래를 할 수 없는 심각한 상황에 이르렀다.

대남정책
*미국정부는 주한미군의 “전략적 유연성”를 철회하라.
지난 1월 한미양국이 체결한 침략적 유연성은 주한미군의 동북아시아 분쟁 개입을 허용함으로써 남한은 미국의 군사적 세계패권을 위한 새로운 전초기지가 되었다. (주한미군은 원래 남한의 군사적 방어를 위해 주둔키로 되어 있었다.) 남한 주민들이 의사를 무시한 채 맺어진 이 전략적 유연성은 한반도뿐 아니라 동북아의 평화를 근본적으로 위협한다. 이 전략적 유연성에 의해 장차 대북용 핵무기가 남한땅에 배치될 수도 있다. 한반도와 동북아의 평화를 위해 미군은 남한에서 속히 떠나야 한다.
*미국정부는 평택 미군기지 확장이전 계획을 전면 중단하라
몇대째 농사를 지어 온 농민들을 포함한 평택 주민들의 치열한 저항운동에도 불구하고 미국은 경기도 평택의 미군기지를 확장하여 용산, 동두천 등에 있는 미군기지를 옮겨 올 예정이다. 평택 미군기지 확장이전은 전세계에 걸친 해외주둔 미군재배치 계획의 일환으로 주한미군의 “전략적 유동성”과 연관되어 있다. 공군기지와 해군항이 있으며 중국과 가까운 거리의 평택이 선정된 주요 원인은 주한 미군이 아시아 태평양 신속기동군의 역할을 효과적으로 수행하기 위해서이다.

*미국정부는 한미간 자유무역협정(FTA) 회의를 즉시 중단하라
미국은 금년 들어 군사뿐 아니라 경제에서도 남한을 더욱 예속화 시키고 있다. 지난 2월부터 개시된 한미간 FTA 가 예정대로 내년3월에 타결될 경우 남한의 농수산업, 노동, 문화예술, 통신, 방송, 금융, 교육, 의료 등 사회전반에 절대적인 악영향을 끼치며 부익부 빈익빈 양극화현상을 심화시킬 것으로 전망된다. 미국은 아시아 태평양권에서 남한을 처음으로 FTA의 대상국으로 삼고 실험적인 공세를 펼치고 있다. 남한에서는 농민들을 선두로 식량주권, 문화주권 등 민족경제주권을 내세우며 벌써부터 광범위한 반 FTA연대운동이 강렬하게 전개하고 있다. DOWN DOWN FTA ! (March 18th, 2006)

임을위한 행진곡 - Marching for Love

2006-02-21T15:37:00.000+08:00

I have it in pdf file but can't upload it. If anyone wants it in pdf, email me at dannypark@kiwa.org It has English lyric and it's a clean copy.

농민가 - FARMERS SONG

2006-02-21T15:25:00.000+08:00

can't see.... hmmm..... I have it in PDF format but can't upload it. If anyone wants it in PDF, email me at dannypark@kiwa.org It has english lyric.

Report on NYC REPORTBACK

2006-02-15T13:39:00.000+08:00

A long while since I've posted. 미안해 to those who come here looking for info and stories. My mind/heart is still filled, sometimes tortured with the colors, noises, connections and misconnections that was hk to me. But my days are filled with - I'm not even sure what eats up my time - proposals, agendas, the office's broken toilet crunching away at my moments, chewing up my language. The extreme is much easier, I've noticed. I guess I need to make every day extreme.

Anyway - enough of my probably sappy internal musings. An event to report on.

Last fri. we did a wto protest reportback with our ally org CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities, which also sent a delegation. Very good to finally match our stories with theirs, to hear more voices speak of different struggles, that are all really the same.

We tried to build a little victoria park for people. There is still a huge yellow and red DOWN! DOWN! WTO !! made of paper ribbions echoing itself across the huge mirror in our big (once was a dance studio) room. Our banners are still hanging (KEEP and Naju Nongmin Hwe) along side CAAAV's Solidarity banner and artfully drawn protest posters. We wore hats and t-shirts and vest and made all our guests put on red bandanas. We made everyone sing. As much as the info, it's about transmitting the brillant tastes of it all. Is this too naive and idealistic? I hope not. Trying release experiences and memories into open space for those who didn't go ... what can I say? It made miss folks, who sometimes seem so far away now.

Anyway - here's the narrative to the slideshow we did.

NYC WTO REPORTBACK
NDD Slide Show Narrative

1) Intro: While Nodutdol folks and comrades were in Korea last summer on an evaluation trip for the Korea Exposure and Education Program, we visited the Naju farmers with whom we have a long standing relationship. While there, we learned about their struggle against the neo-liberal policies of the Roh Mu Hyun government and US economic imperialism. At that time they asked us to send a delegation to join them and provide translations during the WTO M6 protest. In the fall we made the somewhat last minute decision and hurried to prepare to go. Given the unique opportunity provided to us by the Naju farmers, our main goals were:
1. To support the Korea Peasants League (KPL) by providing translation
2. To gain knowledge, experience and energy to bring back to the movement here.
This is us. The following are some stories and some lessons we bring back to organizations and the NYC poc movement.
2) Before we went we made these hats that say “US rice tastes bad.” At Nodutdol we order food from all these restaurants and gobble it up without thinking. Most of us have very little idea of how the rice we eat, as well as the other products we consume, are produced or where they comes from, nor do we understand the story behind it. In the case of south Korean agriculture: The neo-liberal policies of the Roh Mu Hyun government and the US economic imperialist agenda supported by institutions like the WTO are forcing the rice market to open to foreign powers They are destroying south Koreas food sovereignty and self-sufficiency and Korean farmers right to life. Who’s rice are you eating? What does it mean? Opening up the rice market has drastically reduced the nation’s food self-sufficiency rate which has gone from 93.9% in 1965 to 25% in 2005 and will drop to 5% if things keep going the way they are. For the farmers stopping this progression is about fighting for agricultural self-determination and for their lives. No wonder they spent the last year planning for the M6. Here’s a story about our experience fighting along side them.

3) Swimming: Day 1. We marched to the approved protest area, fists in the air, singing and shouting. Once we arrived at our rally location in front of Causeway Bay several hundred of us jumped into the water and continued the protest afloat. When I think about it these days walking around in my huge coat and shivering, I can’t believe I jumped without hesitation. But there it was so easy. And if I hadn’t been grasping for air and spitting out polluted sea water, I would have been grinning the whole way. What this taught me, in a very visceral way was that when you understand the urgency of the struggle, the anger, compassion and desperation that fuels the movement it makes you long to contribute, even knowing how limited that contribution will be. For me, it made it possible to do stuff we might otherwise think crazy – Like jumping in the water and swimming across Causeway Bay in the wake of Korean farmers, all the way to the convention center where the WTO ministerial was taking place.

4) Translation: Of course, the translation that most of us were able to provide was a far larger contribution. Unlike the media portrayal of the farmers leading up to and during the protest as violent and ruthless KPL’s strategy is multi-faciated. Each day the folks in our delegation spread ourselves out among the farmers’ many activities to provide translation – during the big marches, in hospitals, at the airport, in the KPL “command center”, during street outreach, with members of delegations from other countries, with the cops. By translating we helped to facilitate this work. In exchange we learned of the Hong Kong people’s feelings about the WTO protest and the farmers, we learned about KPL’s strategies and tactics, and perhaps most importantly we learn how important it is to use diverse and strategic tactics, always taking into consideration external and internal factors. This is lesson is one we must and have started to incorporate into our local work.

5) Protest #2: Samboilbae – Three steps one bow, lead by the Korean Women Farmers Association. Imagine what it is like to take three steps and bow for an entire march in unison, not just with other Koreans but with people from all over the globe. You can feel your body become part of an organism that encompasses so many other individual bodies. Even if your mind maintains a little commentary (are we in line, how much longer, my knees are starting to hurt, I can’t believe I’m doing this, I’m so lucky etc.) you have contributed your entire physical being to the life of the organism. And this is only one march, contributing the organism that is the global movement. This was an incredibly important action for winning the hearts of the Hong Kong citizens. Hong Kong citizens lined the sidewalk 3 deep to watch. They offered us water, food, they cried.

6) Victoria Park: The struggle is global – we say this and believe it intellectually, but rallying in Victoria Park where we began all our actions made us feel it. The park was a sea of color, flags from Thailand, the Philippines, Venezuela, Korea and more, all waving together. From all over; migrant workers, sex workers, farmers, fisher folks, textile workers came, each group calling for “agriculture, services, fishing, etc. out of the WTO.” Altogether, the members of this international protest pledged to destroy the WTO and together fight against the US-led neo-liberal agenda of the rich and powerful that is destroying their lives.

7) Solidarity: Building international solidarity was a primary goal of KPL which is increasingly seeing the need to connect to struggles in other countries. KPL is part of Via Campasina, an international farmers coalitions. On the night of the fifteenth KPL hosted a night of solidarity in the big field in the YMCA retreat center where we stayed. The program consisted of speeches, dancing, music and concluded with one of the most important strategies for building trust and solidarity – sharing food and of course drink and talking about lives and experiences. We were privileged enough to participate in and provide translation during this experience.

8) The Movement: Of course, drinking and singing and talking were a main ways in which we built with the farmers as well. Through many (often late night) conversations we learn about lots of things – conditions in south Korea, the recent Pyongtaek protests, farmers views on Korean reunification, the importance of solidarity and the taste of US rice. One of the most important lessons we bring back is that the movement is a way of life, and your way of life is the movement. To quote a blog post from one our coordinators.

“Between commodity and sentimental nostalgia, two gross simplifications of what rice is to Korea and most of Asia, lies the world of farmers and rural communities little understood, reduced to blurry green backdrops, and now painted as a threat to global trade conferences. But in what i glimpsed in Naju and in Hong Kong, farming, and the farmers' movement, is based on a sense of collectivity, creativity, strategic thinking, that we city bumpkins … have a lot to learn from.

I asked one farmer a general question about the farmers' movement (using the word 농민 운동). He responded: Don't use that phrase, farmers' movement. If we are going to keep talking, then first, we have to begin here: I am a farmer. Before anything, I am a farmer. Farming is what I do, everything comes out of the fact that I am a farmer. Can you understand that?

And it takes time to sink in, but yes, in fact, in South Korea and all over the world, being a farmer is resistance ….. For many of the farmers we met, being a farmer wasn't about being part of a landed class, about receiving an inheritance of land; it meant leaving the city and 'returning' to the country, a self-transformation of all the relationships one has, withdrawing from the consumerist lifestyle and easy convenience of city living, in order to mobilize a broad national base of politically conscious farmers, to strengthen the power of farmers against a ruthless industrialization and globalization drive.”

film stars and semiconductors...

2006-02-07T04:22:00.000+08:00

it seems like this group blog has died down a bit, so to get things started up again-

there have been the cuts in the screen quota (from 146 days to 73) that most ppl following Korea should be aware of by now. And this is a prelude to the ROK-US FTA that will encroach on agriculture. US has said time and again that it will not negotiate an FTA unless screen quota unless ROK does something about its film industry protection measures. So ROK responded by cutting its protection in half.

The farmers are gearing up against these measures, and have found allies in Korean film stars. Minsik Choi and Donggun Jang are set to continue one-man protests in gwanghwamoon the next couple days. (apparently each person takes a day, in the series of protests.)

But resistance from the farmers and from the film industry was expected, as most Koreans know that these trade agreements really benefit Korea's electronic and semiconductor industries. But US based Semiconductor Industry Association is eager to tap the Korean market which might challenge notions that these FTA's are good for the nation as a whole.

www.bilaterals.org have been good about bringing me news updates.. I wonder if there have been any studies done by US based industry/agriculture associations and/or think tanks regarding the practical effects of the possible FTA.

WTO 홍콩투쟁 로스앤젤레스 대표단 보고회

2006-01-20T17:51:00.001+08:00

“농민가” 영어로 번역해서 합창

Peasant's Song

Bright Ne-w Sun, Far-mers are awa-kened

to raise the fu-ture for, us all

but free trade, kil-ling our world

it's time for, sol-i-dar-i-ty

we stand here, to fight for soverni-ty

down down, WT--O (FT--A)

dancing in numbers, strength in un-i-ty

dong-ji dul, stru-ggle to-ge-ther

Bright Ne-w Sun, Ri-sing on the field, marks new hi-i-sto-ory

workers and peasants, peo-ple of the world's

flags are run-ning, in the sky

till the day of, fin-al vic-tor-y

rise up, rise u-p, fight

dancing in numbers, Strength in un-i-ty

dong-jidul, stru-ggle to-ge-ther

[로스엔젤레스=김영희 민족통신 편집위원] 지난 12월 홍콩에서 열린 WTO 반대투쟁에 참가했던 로스엔젤레스 대표단의 보고회가 18일 UCLA 다운타운 노동센타에서 열렸다.홍콩 투쟁의 비데오상영으로 시작된 이 날 보고회에는 나주농민회의 통역을 맡았던 동포청년 대표단의 박영준소장(한인노동상담소), 김현숙씨( 조국체험 프로그램 KEEP :Korean Exposure and Educational Program), 정미경씨(KEEP), 선우 성민씨(MIWON: 다인종 이민자 네트워크)를 비롯하여 중국계의 키미 리씨(봉제노동센타), 티미 리씨(봉제노동센타), 슈밍 치어 변호사, 일본계의 마이클 마사오까씨, 라틴계의 델리아 이레라씨(봉제노동센타) 등 홍콩 투쟁현장에 다녀 온 활동가들이 참석했다.

홍콩에 갔던 로스엔젤레스 대표단이 청중들에게서 질의응답을 받고 있다.

이들 9명 활동가들은 객석 뒤에서 “WTO를 박살내자”를 영어(Down Down WTO), 중국어(공이 사이 마오), 스페니쉬(아바호 아바호 오엠에세) 구호로 외치며 길게 줄을 서서 등장, 보고회장의 분위기를 뜨겁게 했다. 선우 성민씨가 사회를 본 이 날 행사에는 김현숙씨, 키미 리씨, 티미 리씨, 슈밍 치어 변호사, 델리아 이레라씨가 연사로 나와 각각 보고강연을 했다. 연사들은 강대국과 대기업중심의 불공평한 WTO 협약들이 세계 대다수 민중들의 삶과 지구 생태계에 주는 피해를 열거하면서, 홍콩투쟁은 남한농민 등 지구촌 곳곳에서 모여 든 깨어 난 세계민중들의 반세계화 연대투쟁이었음을 특히 강조했다. 이들 연사들은 WTO 회의 시작전 부터 각국의 다채로운 깃발, 민속 춤, 민속 음악, 민속의상등으로 홍콩시내를 누비며 반WTO구호를 함께 외치던 투쟁단의 행진시위는 참가자들간의 국제연대를 튼튼하게 했을 뿐 아니라 홍콩시민들에게서도 큰 지지를 받아 현지에 새로운 시위문화를 전하는 계기가 되었다고 역설했다. 이들 연사들은 이미 널리 알려진 남한 농민투쟁단의 강렬한 활동이외에도 홍콩, 필리핀, 인도네시아, 캄보디아 등 다른 나라 시위대의 활동도 소개했다.

청중들이 영어로 번역된 "농민가"를 부르고 있다.

델리아 이레라씨는 캄보디아계 성노동자들도 이번 투쟁에 참가했으며, 이들 역시 기본적인 노동자의 권리를 가져야 한다는 사실에 대해 다른 투쟁단도 이해하고 공감하는 계기가 이루어졌다고 전했다. 한편, 지난 12월 7일부터 1월 13일까지 홍콩에 머믈면서 불구속 입건됐던 14인의 소식을 이메일을 통해 생생하게 전했던 티미 리씨는 14인의 무죄석방을 위해 홍콩, 남한의 진보단체와 시민들은 물론 미국, 인도네시아, 필리핀 등지에서 적극적으로 국제 캠패인을 벌였다고 보고했다. 티미 리씨는 1월 11일 홍콩에서 재판이 열리던 날 공청회장에는 14인의무죄석방을 요구하는 2백여명의 성원자들이 빽빽하게 모여 재판을 주시했다고 보고하며, 아직 무죄판결이 나지 않은 나머지 3인의 남한 운동가들을 위해 중국정부에 계속 압력을 넣는 국제캠패인을 벌여 나갈 것이라고 다짐했다. 로스엔젤레스의 노동계, 반전평화운동계, 인권계 등에서 1백여명의 청중이 참석한 이 날 보고회에서는 최근 폭설로 인해 온실이 무너지는 등 큰 피해를 본 나주농민회와 오는 4월 제네바에서 열리는 WTO 투쟁단을 위한 기금마련시간이 특별히 마련되었다. 문화행사시간에는 남장우씨, 김하림씨 부부가 나란히 출연하여 장구를 치면서 노래 “빼앗긴 들에도 봄은 오는가”, “통일 액맥이”를 불렀다. 청중들이 "동지", "투쟁"등의 한국어를 배우기도 했던 이 날 보고회는 남한 “농민가” 2절을 영어로 번역한 “Farmer’s Song”을 다 함께 부르는 순서로 끝났다. ………………………………………………………………………………

다음은 지난 15일 KEEP에서 발표한 미주 연대성명문이다. 11일 홍콩법정에서 내린 판결과 관련하여 발표된 동성명문은 민중투쟁의 정당성을 입증하는 홍콩투쟁단의 무죄판결을 환영하며 나머지 3인의 무죄판결를 위해 힘차게 싸울 것을 약속하고 있다. 동성명서에는 미주 동포 통일운동권을 비롯하여, 인권, 이민자권익, 노동, 환경, 청소년, 여성, 교육, 언론, 무역정책, 반전등 여러 분야의 50여 미국단체들이 연대서명을 했다.

미주에서도 뜨거운 결의!
DOWN, DOWN WTO!

WTO 투쟁에서 나주농민회 통역을 맡은 미주동포청년단(Korea Exposure and Education Program ;KEEP)이 인사 드립니다. 저희는 미국으로 돌아와 LA, SF와 NY에서 감금된 14명의 홍콩투쟁단의 석방을 위해 여러 단체들과 함께 온라인서명운동과 중국대사관 앞에서 기자회견 및 단식투쟁을 해왔습니다. 현재 미국에선 진보동포사회뿐만 아니라 각 분야의 사회운동단체들이 WTO의 비민주적이고 불평등한 자유무역체제를 적극 반대하고 세계민중의 투쟁에 동참한다는 결의를 밝히고 있습니다. 그런 의미에서 이번 11일 WTO 민중투쟁의 정당성을 입증하는 홍콩투쟁단의 무죄판결을 환영하며 앞으로 남은 세 분의 무죄 혐의를 위해 힘차게 싸울 것을 약속하는 연대의 성명서를 미국에서 보내드립니다. 이 성명서는 미국에서 인권, 이민자권익, 노동, 환경, 청소년, 여성, 교육, 언론, 무역정책, 반전, 한반도 평화를 위해 활동하는 여러 단체들이 공동으로서명하였습니다.

A Message of Solidarity from the USA

Down, Down WTO!

January 15, 2006 - We the undersigned organizations in the US, in solidarity with the global community, welcome the January 11 decision of the Hong Kong authorities to release 11 detainees held for participating in a lawful demonstration against the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December, 2005. Since their arrest, organizations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York havecoordinated numerous actions in front of Chinese Embassies and Consulates and Hong Kong Trade Offices to demand that the Hong Kong authorities drop all charges against the 14 unlawfully detained. The release of 11 of the 14 detainees is a victory for millions of people around the world who have supported the global resistance against the unjust trade policies of the WTO.However, PARK IN HWAN and YOON IL KWON from the Korean Peasants League and YANG KYOUNG KYU from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions remain charged with unlawful assembly. Therefore, as part of a global movement for justice, the undersigned organizations demand that the Hong Kong authorities reverse this decision. The three demonstrators charged are scheduled for a trial in March and we vow to continue to conduct further actions in the US until ALL are exonerated andreleased.As US-based organizations representing diverse sectors concerned about human, civil and immigrant rights, low-wage labor, youth, women, the environment, education, media, community development, trade policy, military conflict, and peaceful reunification of the Korean people and peninsula, we firmly oppose the free trade policies of the WTO that fail to address the real needs of the people, both in the US and in our international communities. The resistance demonstrated by peoplegathered in Hong Kong was a testament to the unfair practices of the WTO that disenfranchise and destroy the lives of millions throughout the world.As representatives of numerous communities throughout the US, we stand firmly with the people of the world who oppose the undemocratic practices of the WTO, an institution which lacks legitimacy and transparency and only benefits wealthy nations and transnational corporations.Background - Last December, thousands of ordinary people peasants, fisherfolk, blue and white collar laborers, migrants, students and activists came together in Hong Kong to protest the violence of the World Trade Organization. The policies proposed and deals brokered inside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the WTO ministerial was taking place, will impoverish billions of people across the globe. Thus, delegations of protestors, seeking to represent theinterests of the world's people, traveled to Hong Kong to demonstratepeacefully in its streets. For the governments of developed countries, often led by the United States, the WTO is a means to gain power and wealth at the expense of developing nations and workers, farmers, women, migrants and the poor.It destroys lives, cultures communities by commodifying basic human rights such as access to food, education, and healthcare. Therefore, over a thousand protesters who, on December 17 attempted to march peacefully towards the Convention Centre where they would be seen and heard, were engaging in necessary actions to protect their livelihoods and loved-ones as well as those of people throughout the world. Theseactions were not crimes.However, police in full riot gear surrounded close to 1000 demonstrators sitting peacefully on Gloucester Road for over 10 hours before arresting 944 of them. 14 of these people were charged with "unlawful assembly" and barred from leaving Hong Kong to reunite with their families and return to their lives. On January 11, 2006 the Kwun Tong Court of Hong Kong released 11 of them, while upholding charges against 3 and preparing to bring them to trial.

Organizations in Solidarity
6.15 Coalition, Act Now to Stop War and End Racism ( A.N.S.W.E.R.), Agribusiness Research and Popular Education, API Movement Building, Asian American Resource Workshop, Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Audre Lorde Project, BAYAN USA, CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities, Channing and Popai Liem Education Foundation, CJWP, Chinese Progressive Association, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, Community Organizing Coalition (CYOC), Congress for KoreanReunification (CKR), Corean Action Network for Unification (CAN-U), Cuauhtemoc, Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, International Action Center (IAC), Institute forAgriculture and Trade Policy, Instituto de Educacion Popular del Sur deCalifornia (IDEPSCA), Korea Democratic Labor Party Support Committee, Korea Exposure and Education Program (KEEP/Delegation to the Hong KongWTO), Korea Truth Commission/US, Korean Community Center of the EastBay, Korean American National Coordinating Council/Westcoast, KoreanAmericans United for Peace, Korean Immigrant Workers Advocate, Labor Community Strategy Center, Los Angeles Indigenous People's Alliance, Mindullae, Minjok Tongshin, Mujeres Libres, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, Multiethnic Immigrant Workers Organizing Network, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR), Nodutdol for Korean CommunityDevelopment, Oakland Institute, One Korea LA Forum, Pan Korean Alliancefor Reunification, Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California(PWC), Restaurant Workers Association of Koreatown, Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE), South Central Farmers Feeding Families,Sweatshop Watch, St. Peter's Housing, Young Koreans United

[출처 : 민족통신 2006-01-19]

홍콩원정시위 중 구속자 석방 촉구하는 미주동포들

2006-01-15T07:50:00.000+08:00

"기소된 나머지 3명 위해서도 계속 국제캠패인 벌이겠다."

[로스엔젤레스=김영희 민족통신편집위원] 홍콩에서 불법시위로 불구속 입건된 14명 WTO반대투쟁단의 전원 무죄를 주장하며 귀국보장을 요구하는 2차 항의시위가 10일 정오부터 다음날 새벽 1시까지 13시간동안 로스엔젤레스 소재 중국총영사관 앞에서 열렸다. 홍콩 퀀통법원에서 11일(현지시간) 속개된 14명에 대한 유죄인정심문재판 일정에 맞춰 국제공동행동의 일환으로 열린 이 날 시위는 기자회견과 피켓시위로 시작됐다. 기자회견에는 지난 12월 홍콩에서 개최된 WTO반대투쟁에 다녀왔던 재미동포청년단의 선우 성민씨, 김현숙씨, 중국계 이민법변호사 슈밍 치어씨가 연사로 나왔다. 연사들은 기자회견문을 통해 “모든 세계인의 삶을 피폐화 하고 환경을 파괴하는 WTO의 무역정책을 반대하는정당한 시위는 죄가 아니다.”고 말하면서 불법집회로 기소된 11명의 한국인과 3명 외국인들의 무죄를 주장했다. 이 날 중국 총영사관에는 기자회견이 시작되기 전부터 출입구 문이 굳게 잠겨 있었다. 기자회견단은 옆문을 이용하여 총영사관내로 들어가 접수계원을 통해 총영사에게 보내는 서한을 전달했다. 기자회견단은 총영사의 면담을 요청했으나 거절당했으며, 서한이 제대로 전달되지 않을 경우를 대비해서 등기우편으로 한차례 더 보낼 것이라고 밝혔다. 기자회견장에는 한인노동상담소의 한인, 라틴계 스텝들, 미주 민주노동당 후원회의 김윤경씨, 전국 재미한국청년연합, 나성한국청년연합의 회원들이 나와 ”WTO시위대 14명을 석방하라”“WTO는 세계농민을 죽이는 폭력배”, “Justice 14”(14인에게 정의를) 등의 구호가 실린 피켓을 들고 시위를 벌렸다. 지난 5일부터 홍통에서 단식투쟁에 들어간 14인 시위자들과의 연대를 위해 11일 아침부터 단식에 들어간 시위자들의 일부는 기자회견이 끝난 이후에도 중국총영사관에 남아 계속 시위를 벌였다.

시낭독중 14인 시위자에게 촛불이 바쳐졌다.

이 날 중국총영사관 정문앞에서 오후 6시부터 새벽 1시까지 열린 7시간 동안 열린 촛불시위는 시낭독 “14인의 동지에게 바치는 14개의 촛불”로 시작됐다.시낭독을 통해 14인 홍콩시위자들의 이름이 하나 하나 호명될 때마다 참석자들이 그 이름표가 붙여 있는 촛불을 각각 들고 나와 조용히 바쳤다.

촛불시위장에서는 14인의 시위자들이 옥중에서 보낸 편지 낭독, 홍콩 WTO 반대 투쟁의 현장모습이 담긴 슬라이드 상영, “농민가”등 노래 배우기, “자유발언”등의 다양한 프로그램이 마련되었다.

연대시위를 하러 온 노동계, 인권계의 미국인 형제자매들은 “투쟁”, “동지”등 한국운동권의 용어를 한국말로 배웠다. 한인계를 중심으로 중국계, 라티계로 이루어졌던 촛불시위대는 한국 운동권에서 만든 구호 “Down Down WTO”를 “공이사이마오”(중국어), “아바호 아바호 오엠에세”(스페니쉬)로도 함께 외치며 뜨거운 친선의 시간을 가졌다.

홍콩 투쟁단으로 참가했던 한인노동상담소의 박영준소장, 선우 성민씨, 김현숙씨, 슈밍 치어변호사, 봉제노동센터의 델리아 에레라씨, 일본계 활동가 마이클 마사오까씨는 각각 현장경험담을 들려주기도 했다. 함께 바닷물에 뛰어 들었던 박영준소장이 들려준 남한농민3백여명 해상시위대의 무용담이 특히 관심과 인기를 끌었는데, 라틴계 활동가들은 “바닷물이 차지는 않았는가?”“바다에서 컨벤션센터까지는 얼마나 걸렸는가?”등 여러가지 질문을 했다.

풍물패 활동가인 남장우씨는 장구를 치며 “빼앗긴 들에도 봄은 오는가”, “남누리 북누리", “통일 액맥이” 등 전통적 가락의 노래를 불러 촛불시위장의 흥을 돋구어 주었다.

이 날 촛불시위장에는 미주 민주노동당 후원회 정건이회장, 나성포럼 김하림사무국장, 하용진씨, 민들레 육영빈회장, 민족학교 윤대중사무국장, 나성청년연합 클리프 리회장, 민족통신 이용식편집위원 등이 들려 함께 했다. 하루종일 단식을 했던 시위대는 판결소식이 들릴 것으로 예상했던 새벽 한시가 되도 아무 연락을 받지 못하자 둥그렇게 서서 서로 손을 잡고 “농민가”를 부르며 폐회를 했다.

한편, 촛불시위가 끝난 후에 기소된 14명의 시위자중 11명은 전원 무혐위로 석방되고 공공연맹의 양경규위원장, 윤일권씨(전농), 박인환씨(전농)는 혐의가 인정됐다는홍콩 퀀통법원의 판결소식을 전해 받은 박영준소장은 11일 아침 본지와 전화인터뷰을 갖고 “완전하지는 않지만, 이번 판결은 국제연대 공동시위등을 통해 무죄를 주장해 온 투쟁단의 승리이다. 이번 판결을 통해 홍콩투쟁단을 폭력배로 매도해 온 홍콩경찰의 허위가 드러났다. 우리는 나머지 3인에 대해서도 계속 무죄캠패인을 벌여 가겠다. 무작위로 체포된 그들은 정치범이다.”며 홍콩 WTO 반대투쟁에 갔던 로스엔젤레스, 뉴욕, 샌 프란시스코의 미주 청년대표단은 미국언론, 이메일 등을 통해 나머지 3인의 무고함을 알리는 국제 캠패인을 계속할 것이라고 밝혔다.

촛불시위에서 시위자들이 옥중에 있을 당시 보낸 편지를 읽는 미주 민주노동당 후원회 정건이회장

촛불집회에 연대하러 나온 미국인 노동운동 활동가들

홍콩 원정시위 중 구속된 14명을 석방하라고 촉구하는 로스엔젤레스 동포들

홍콩원정시 구속된 한국농민 석방하라고 외치는 제미 김씨

[출처 : 민족통신 2006-01-11] 민족통신 2006-01-11

more bad journalism from NY Times

2006-01-12T15:55:00.000+08:00

A shortened post of the Jan. 10 article before the verdict was issued: What I wanted to note was that this issue was portrayed in the NY Times as a sticky diplomatic bone of contention, but doesn't analyze the fact that international protests for the release of the WTO-14 have probably played a part in getting 11 of the 14 released, and the fact that none of the social justice messages were based on nationalist sentiment (nothing about Korea v. China, that sort of ridiculous fantasy).

The only direct quotes are from the WTO public outreach coordinator and the Hong Kong secretary for justice. No quotes from KCTU (the Korean labor union), from HKPA Hong Kong People's Alliance that organized many of the solidarity protests, from the South Korean government, or from the groups (like the ones that stretch from the Bay to LA to NY) that actually organized any of these protests. Complete silence on social movements. Will the NY Times ever get it? Why is the fact that citizens all over the world have common messages and unity around global trade and the righteousness of protest not reflected on? Why is it that it's still about old-fashioned state to state relations?

Especially considering the fact that the South Korean government appealed for the release of the 11 Korean peasants and the labor organizer, but refused to pay bail. In fact, Hong Kong citizens paid for the steep $12,000 bail of the 3 who were charged, and that fact will probably never get a mention, even though it reflects the fact that many citizens were quite moved by the Korean farmers and their protest strategies (and not just 'shocked', as the article talks about).

I also like the repetitiveness of the Hong Kong officials talking about 137 injuries being justification to keep the charges, but if you do the glass is half full/empty thing, only half are police injuries. The other half? That's right, police-inflicted injuries. A fair number of which we saw with our own eyes. So are they going to prosecute police? No. If it was truly about the fact that injury is inflicted upon people, and that being a crime, then the police would also have to go up on trial, but they won't. Because violence ain't 'violence' unless you're on the wrong side of the fence.

January 10, 2006 ARTICLE
Arrests of Trade Protesters Embroil Hong Kong With China and South Korea
By KEITH BRADSHER

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/09/international/asia/09cnd-hong.html

HONG KONG, Jan. 9 - The decision to bring charges against 14 people here
after a violent demonstration at the World Trade Organization conference
last month is turning into a contentious and diplomatically sticky issue
for the governments of Hong Kong, China and South Korea.

Labor union federations and social justice groups, mainly from Asia and
Europe, are portraying the 14 as "W.T.O. political prisoners." They held
a small march here on Monday and said they had sent delegations to
deliver letters, and in some cases hold demonstrations, at Chinese
consulates and embassies in New York City and in Bangladesh, Belgium,
Hungary, Thailand and Switzerland.

All but three of the protesters charged after the demonstration are
South Korean, and their case has drawn considerable attention at home,
with three of the country's most famous movie and soap opera stars
issuing a recent appeal for their release. South Koreans are already
resentful about China's tough treatment of refugees from North Korea,
many of whom have been repatriated to face long prison terms and even
execution.

The South Korean government has appealed to the Hong Kong government
repeatedly to release the protesters, all of them men. But the Hong Kong
authorities have refused, pointing out that the protest here on the
night of Dec. 17 left 137 people injured, including 67 police officers.

"Hong Kong is a place where the rule of law is strongly upheld," said
Wong Yan-lung, Hong Kong's secretary for justice, after meeting here on
Monday with three opposition lawmakers from South Korea who complained
about the prosecution. "This case is being processed in accordance with
the laws of Hong Kong and our established and announced prosecution
policy."

For rest of article, see the link above.

Timmy Lu LA delegate in HK Court on Jan. 11

2006-01-12T14:57:00.000+08:00

Greetings friends,
I am reporting great news from Hong Kong. At a hearing earlier today at Kwun Tong Courthouse in Kowloon, Hong Kong, the 14 remaining political prisoners have been released and are all on their way home to their respective countries to pass the New Year. All charges were dropped on 11 of the protesters, while the remaining three Korean farmers have plead not guilty to charges of unlawful assembly and acting in a threatening manner towards police officers.
As you may already know, the farmers have been on a hunger strike for the last seven days, and the Hong Kong People's Alliance organized a twenty-four hour solidarity fast starting yesterday in front of Kwun Tong Courthouse, culminating with today's hearing. The day began with program starting at noon until 2 PM consisting of speeches from the strikers, their families and from international supporters, as well as musical performaces including the Cantonese version of the Korean peasant's song.
Supporters of the prisoners filled the courtroom at 2:30 PM when the hearing was scheduled. Over 200 supporters packed the courtroom, leaving standing room only and spilling into the lobby. The aisles were filled with protesters wearing red headbands in support, including many who had participated earlier in the twenty-four hour fast and had camped out the night before in front of the courthouse with the Korean farmers. As the prisoners entered the courtroom, the crowd chanted "Release now!", "Down Down WTO", and "Drop All Charges". Lawyers for the prosecution were heckled by demands by protestors to drop the charges. Supporters included concerned individuals, academics, union members, students, representatives from international solidarity missions, the family of the prisoners, and local Hong Kong residents (ranging from the elderly to middle school students).
After several delays, the hearing proceeded at 4:30 PM. The prosecution dropped all charges against 11 of the protesters, including all of the non-Korean international protesters. The remaining three are all Korean nationals. At first one of the farmers plead not guilty, another guilty, and a third partial guilt to charges of unlawful assembly and acting threatening towards police. The third farmer protested the inclusion of "background information" in the charges that did not specifically relate to the actions of the demonstrator in question. This included information on the actions of other "unidentified protestors". The defense argued that this information had nothing to do with the actions of the protestor and should be stricken from the charges. The prosecution disagreed, and the judge recommended that the issue be resolved in trial.
The three remaining defendants all changed their plea to "not guilty,"where the case currently stands. The three protesters were released on $30,000 HKD bail each, under arrangement with the Archbishop of Hong Kong. When the judged asked if this amount was to come from the personal savings of the protestors, the defense lawyer responded that funds would not because the defendant is now bankrupt because of the WTO. The trial is now set for the week of March 1-7, 2006 at a courthouse more central to Kowloon City. The three remaining protestors are now free to return to Korea.
After a brief press conference, the farmers returned to their tent in front of the courthouse to pack their belongings and return to Korea. The farmers were greeted with flowers from local supporters and after a short rally, we began clean up the encampment and pack up the equipment.
I spoke with members of the international solidarity missions, who expressed the importance of global pressure on the Chinese embassies throughout the world in ensuring that the charges were dropped on almost all of the prisoners and that they can now return home to pass the New Year with their families. The sense that I got from the local demonstrators is that "We will be back!" and that people were already making arrangements to show their support when the remaining three farmers return to face trial in March.
Though the struggle continues against the WTO and imperialist globalization, there was a clear sense that the dropped charges and the release came about through an international people's movement to release the prisoners and stop the WTO.
Timmy Lu, writing from Kowloon, Hong Kong Los Angeles Delegation to the WTO January 11, 2006

Down Down WTO!

14 candle lights to 14 dongis

2006-01-12T13:55:00.000+08:00

Good turn out
YKU members came out strong at jan 10, noon press conference with 12 to 15 members. had total of 25 to 30 people. all koreatown press and one taiwanese press showed up. Ji Won (YKU), Shu-Ming(LA Delegate), Jamie (KEEP) spoke.
chinese consulate again locked us out when delegation tried to deliver our statement so we didn't bother. chanted for while.
noon to 6pm, people took turns protesting in front of consulate.
the program got started around 7pm.
learned couple of songs motions, 농민자, 임을위한 행진곡.
young hui kim, a poet & reporter & peace activist, read her own poem written for this protest. while she was reading the poem when the WTO 14's name were read out, 14 people with name card with red candle came out and displayed it on the side of the street. her poem is written below.
lots of chants in between. down down wto, bye bye wto, free the fourteen......
letters from the jail cell were read by different people. it was translated to the english speaking participants.
long slide show
LA delegates' story telling of their experience in HK WTO toojeng
some delegate explained what is wto and why we went to protest wto
one of LA delegate, chinese american, ran out to market saying we forgot something very important and came back with soju
songs, dances, song contest, soju, chants and calling and calling YS in New York, KJ in oakland, trying to call korea struggle mission, hkpa to find out what is happening in hk court
finally getting schetch info that 11's charge have been dropped but 3 are still charged, we cleaned up and left the consulate 1am.
many 선배's came and stayed few hours at times, some called and said they are with us in heart, many allies, campaneros, friends came out in solidarity. roughly 60 people visited consulate for the protest.
it got cold, hungry and soju in empty stomach is not a good idea but it was fun
especially when we heard the result of the hearing, everything was well worth it and everyone was proud that we did our part and contributed in HK 14's freedom. more toojeng to come. gotta get three charges dropped completly. can any of the keepers translate this awesome poem below and post it?

14인의 동지에게 바치는 14개의 촛불

동지여 14인의 동지여
이 밤 그대들에게 바치는
14개의 촛불을 들고 갑니다.

지금 이 시간 홍콩 법정에 서 있는
두 눈 부릅 뜨고 당당하게 서 있는
14인의 동지여
우리 한마음 한뜻으로 14개의 촛불 드높이 들고 갑니다.

동지여 둥근 하늘 우러러 우리 함께 맹세합니다
푸른 태평양 너머 아메리카
WTO의 원산지 아메리카에 살고 있는 우리
그대들 모두 자유의 몸이 될 때까지
로스엔젤레스에서도
뉴욕에서도
샌 프란시스코에서도
그대들과 하나 되어 한몸으로 싸우렵니다.

농부이며, 노동자이며, 신문기자이며, 학생인
우리 14인의 동지여
땅 우러러 우리 또 맹세합니다
그대들 모두 그리운 고향에 돌아간 후에도
우리는 여전히 그대들이 되어 함께 싸울 것입니다.

농업정책은 농민에게 맡기는 한세상
노동정책은 노동자에게 맡기는 한세상
대평등의 아름다운 지구를 위해
무지개빛 터지는 생명의 대진리를 위해
저 악의 축 신자유주의와 WTO와 계속 싸울 것입니다.
오대양 육대주 가로 질러 민족과 인류는 마침내 하나
우리 손에 손 잡은 싸움은 이제 막 시작일 뿐입니다

홍콩에 남아 있는14인의 동지여
그대들의 꽃같은 이름 하나 하나 부르며
우리 촛불 고이 들고 갑니다.

제주도 한림의 김창준동지
강원도 홍천의 남궁석동지
전남 곡성의 박인환동지
전남 순천의 윤일권동지
전남 순천의 강승규동지
전북 익산의 한동웅동지
충북 괴산의 황대섭동지
전남 보성의 이영훈동지
경남 함안의 이형진동지

민주노총의 임대혁동지
민주노총의 양경규동지
중국의 웬 주민동지
타이완의 대학생 리 첸칭동지
일본의 신문기자 코스케 나카키리동지

2006년 정월 초 열흘밤
로스엔젤레스에서 홍콩의 그대들에게 14개의 촛불을 바칩니다

그대들의 빛나는 얼굴인듯
오 어둔 세상 이제 환하게 환하게 밝아 오십니다.

LOS ANGELES KOREA TIMES "WTO 시위 한국농민 석방을"

2006-01-12T13:45:00.000+08:00

http://www.koreatimes.com/articleview..asp?id=291477

KOREA TIMES

“WTO 시위 한국농민 석방을”

입력시간 : 2006-01-11

노동상담소 등 중국영사관 앞 단식·촛불시위

LA의 진보적 시민단체가 지난 1월 홍콩에서 개최된 WTO각료회의에서 불법시위 혐의로 검찰에 기소된 이들에 대한 조속한 석방을 기도하는 단식 투쟁을 벌였다.
남가주한인노동상담소(KIWA)와 한국청년연합(YKU) 등 4개 단체 20여명은 10일 정오 중국영사관 앞에서 기자회견을 갖고 홍콩 검찰에 기소된 이들에 대한 첫 번째 공판이 끝나는 11일 새벽 1시까지 단식 투쟁 및 촛불 시위를 펼친다고 밝혔다.
한인 등 12명이 참가한 이번 단식 투쟁은 한국의 한국민중투쟁단 등 세계농민회에서 전세계 진보단체에 요청해 이뤄진 것으로 하루 앞서 뉴욕과 샌프란시스코 등 지역에서도 시위가 동시 다발적으로 펼쳐졌었다. 검찰에 기소된 반세계화 시위대는 지난 5일부터 석방이 될 때까지 무기한 단식을 벌인다고 밝혔다.
홍콩에서 열린 반세계화 시위에 참가했던 한국체험교육프로그램의 김현숙씨는 “비인간적인 WTO에 반대하는 시위는 불법이 아니다”며 “불법집회란 혐의로 기소된 이들이 즉각 석방돼야 한다”고 밝혔다.
이날 시위대는 중국 영사관 앞에서 시위대 석방을 외치며 피켓팅을 펼치기도 했다.

<이석호 기자>

clarifications...

2006-01-12T07:00:00.000+08:00

just been pointed out by nara ^_^ that I've been using too many acronyms... So here's my blogger imitation of Big L a la "Ebonics."

UPI is United Press International, AFP is Agence France Presse and AP is Associated Press.
vop is the voice of the people and r on r is release on recognizance.

sorry I haven't been linking some things that might be new to ppl. I'm new to this blogging game.

So it turns out that for all these years, I had the wrong concept of what an R on R was. the eight had NOT been R on R'ed, but released. You learn something new every day.

english coverage of 14.

2006-01-11T23:08:00.000+08:00

there is in fact english coverage... UPI picked it up. But I haven't heard about UPI in a minute, are they getting crushed by AFP and AP?

11 freed, three can go back to Korea on bail

2006-01-11T22:49:00.000+08:00

just read vop- all 11 Koreans are going back to Korea on the thirteenth, the head of the transportation and services union is being framed as the leader, and 8 people were r&r'ed for participating in a rally without a permit. the camera dude and one other couldn't be released bc the police insists they have footage of them engaged in violence. anyway, the court dates are set for March 1 and 7th. ChangKeun Lee, who some of us met in 2002, are framing this as a victory that HK police was out of line and held people without a reason.

chamsesang reports that the bail is set for the three at 30,000 hong kong dollars. (about $12,000 US.)

I haven't seen any reports in the US mainstream media yet, after a cursory search.

on an unrelated note, songhwan, (repatriation) is out on dvd.

Verdict from the WTO 14 trial

2006-01-11T17:48:00.000+08:00

Well - I just called someone at hkpa. She had just heard over the radio that 11 of the 14 have been released. The cases of 3, all of whom at Korean, will continue to another court date. She couldn't tell me who they are.

I'm partially happy, but also pissed.

I'm also pretty hungry (eventhough I am a self professed plant - can live off of light). Seeing as I only fasted for 1 day, I'm inspired by the strength and conviction of the folks in Hong Kong who held their hunger strike for 6 days now.

I'm gonna have a few drinks and something to eat and hopefully go to bed. Rest seems necessary 'cause the fight continues.

justice, compassion and struggle always,
ys

Reportback from Today's Solidarity Action in NYC

2006-01-10T06:34:00.000+08:00

Nodutdol Jan. 9 Solidarity Action for the WTO 14

I think we’re ready to write a book called “how to plan an action in one day.” Yesterday was one of those days that you wish had 30 hours instead if 24 so you could finish everything with a little time to breathe. I think it was about 1 am, we were happily engaged in dwipuri when three KEEP 친구 came in and gave us the plan for a creative action for the international day of solidarity for the 14 WTO protesters still detained in Hong Kong – which happened to be the following day. After a few hours of sleep we went to work. The thing about creative actions is that they take a bit more prep than you typical speech-chant-yawn-rally. Still, in Hong Kong we learned from 전농(KPL) how powerful and effective carefully and artfully planed protests can be. (I am truly thankful for this lesson. Strategically aesthetic protests are much better art than what you see in Soho galleries and museums.)

Here’s how it went. At ll:30 about 15 of us plus a two-years-old-or-less contingent of 4 gathered near the Chinese consulate. We all came wearing black and once there put on red head bands, white masks decorated with an x-ed out WTO and mock handcuffs to symbolize the detainees. There’s not a whole lot of foot traffic in that area so we stood in a line facing the highway holding signs out to cars passing by. After chanting and singing 농민가 three reps went inside and, having learned from our Dec. 28 action that they don’t appreciate aggressiveness, politely attempted to deliver our petition. Our reps were told that the consulate was closed for a lunch break, come back after 1:30. So we did a little more chanting then boarded a bus to go across town to our next target – the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office. On the bus we passed out WTO fact sheets and copies of the letter sent out by the hunger striking detainees.

Several block away from the office we lined up in single file and began to march. Inspired by 삼보일배 (am I spelling this right? Don’t know how to spell it in English either) and guided by our top anti-M6 chanter leader we took three steps in unison while chanting “Free The Detainees” then paused and chanted “Down Down WTO” all the way to the Trade Office.

Midtown eastside is an interesting place to do that kind of march. It’s all white folks in expensive suites hurrying from nowhere to nowhere. Still our march a unique enough site to make many of them watch and take literature from us. A few even stopped for several minutes to ask what we were doing and why.

When we reached the Trade Office we held a short rally, still in costume, and successfully delivered a copy of the petition, though the director, who was supposedly on an extended lunch break (it was after two by then) wouldn’t come down to see us. After concluding with농민가 most of us went to K town to eat.

Three of us then went back to the consulate and again attempted to deliver the petition. We were ushered into a waiting room, but after a few minutes the security guard came in and told us that all requests and deliveries have to go through the Consul General’s secretary and that she was gone for an indefinite period of time. Try as we might, the guard would not agree to take the petition to give to her. Apparently, guards are not allowed to accept any packages from anyone. The third thwarted attempt. Kind of frustrating, but it’s ok ‘cause we already faxed them (and Donald Tsang and Pascal Lamy) the petition 190 times last night.

THANKS THANKS to everyone who came out, most of whom will also be doing a hunger strike from sunrise tomorrow until Wednesday in solidarity with the detainees.

Report Back & Fundraiser, Los Angeles

2006-01-10T00:38:00.000+08:00

FROM THE FRONT LINES:
Report Back & Fundraiser
Derailing the WTO Hong Kong 6th Ministerial Conference

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2006
6:30pm-9:00pm
UCLA Downtown Labor Center
675 S. Park View Ave. (& Wilshire Blvd.)
Los Angeles, CA

* Hear First Hand Stories from the L.A. Delegation
* View Slideshow & Video Presentation
* Learn more about WTO policies and issues
* Fundraise for Korean Farmers to continue their protests of WTO

For more information contact: Liz Sunwoo, MIWON
(213) 738-9050 or liz_miwon@yahoo.com

홍콩 WTO 기소자 석방촉구 국제 행동의 날 - 1 월 9 일 12 시

2006-01-09T04:34:00.000+08:00

홍콩 WTO 기소자 석방촉구 국제 행동의 날 - 1 월 9 일 12 시

홍콩기소자 석방촉구를 위한 국제 행동의 날, 1 월 9 일 12 시에 중국문화원 앞에서 깜짝 시위를 벌입니다.

어디: 중국문화원
520 12th avenue (at 42nd street), New York, NY

시위에 못나오시는 분은 인터넷 서명운동으로 동참하실수 있습니다. 홍콩기소자 서명운동의 주소는
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/notowto/petition.html, 오늘 밤 아홈시까지 모인 서명을 가지고 중국문화원 그리고 Donald Tsang, Hong Kong's Chief Executive, and Pascal Lamy, General-Director of WTO
at 9 p.m. TONIGHT (January 8th, 2006) 에 보낼 예정입니다.

시위에 관한 문의는 율산: 917-586-6547 로 해주시면 됩니다.

아래는 전농의 성명자료를 같이 실었습니다.

12.29 홍콩시위 기소자 즉각 석방을 위한 국제공동행동의 날 자료
        - 12월 29일 기자회견에서 배포된 자료 입니다 -

- 12.29 국제 공동행동의 날 성명서
- 홍콩시민의 편지/ 홍콩민중동맹 연대메세지
- 홍콩 WTO 시위 관련 연행과정 및 유치장에서의 인권침해에 관한 진정서 요약
- 기소자들의 편지

****************************************************************************************************

                 <12월 29일, WTO 반대시위 기소자 즉각 석방을 위한 국제공동행동의 날 성명서>

                               전 세계 민중의 삶과 권리를 지키기 위한 투쟁은 죄가 아니다!
홍콩 WTO 각료회의 저지투쟁 참여로 기소된 14인에 대한 기소를 취하하고  아무런 조건 없이 즉각적인 귀국을 보장하라!!

2005년 12월 홍콩에서 열린 WTO 6차 각료회의는 신자유주의 세계화의 반민중성과 폭력성을 다시 한 번 적나라하게 드러냈다. WTO와 홍콩 정부는 초국적 자본의 횡포로 생존을 유린당한 민중들의 저항을 페퍼스프레이와 최루탄, 전기곤봉, 물대포, 고무총탄으로 무참히 짓밟았으며, 신자유주의 세계화로 인한 죽음의 행렬이 이제는 중단되어야 한다는 정당한 외침을 ‘불법행위’로 매도했다. 홍콩 경찰은 각료회의 폐막 전날인 12월 17일 컨벤션 센터 부근에서 열린 집회와 행진 참가자 전원을 12시간에 걸쳐 연행한 후 그 중 무작위로 고른 14인을  ‘불법집회 참가’ 혐의로 기소했으며, 이들에게 ‘폭력’ 및 ‘폭동’ 혐의를 덧씌우기 위해 수사기간을 계속해서 연장하고 있다. 바로 내일 (12월 30일)이면 지난 12월 23일 보석으로 풀려난 14인에 대한 재판이 열리게 된다. 이에 홍콩 시민을 비롯한 세계의 민중들이 이들에 대한 기소는 부당하며 기소자 14인 모두가 즉각 고향으로 돌아가야 함을 주장하기 위해 국제적인 공동 행동에 나섰다.

WTO에 대한 저항은 범죄행위가 아닌 민중의 권리이다. 기소를 취하하라.

WTO에 의해 추진되는 신자유주의 세계화로 전 세계의 민중들이 곳곳에서 신음하고 있다. 세계 곳곳에서 부와 자원, 지식은 약탈되어 미국을 비롯한 중심부로 집중되며, 초국적 금융자본의 무한 자유를 위해 식량주권, 노동권, 필수서비스 및 의약품을 공급받을 권리 등 민중의 권리는 파괴된다. 수많은 민중이 죽음으로 내몰리고 있으며, 또 죽음으로 저항하고 있다. 이러한 이유로 을 비롯한 전 세계 각국의 민중들은 홍콩에 모인 것이다. 신자유주의 세계화로 인한 죽음의 행렬을 멈추고자 투쟁한 것이다. 세계 민중의 삶과 권리를 되찾기 위한 홍콩에서의 투쟁은 결코 범죄행위가 아니라 오히려 민중의 권리이다. 범죄행위로, 폭력으로 비난받아야 할 것은 민중들의 투쟁이 아니라 민중들이 저항할 권리를 온갖 무기를 동원해 짓밟은 홍콩 경찰의 과잉진압이다. 집회 참가자 전원을 연행하여 유치장에 가두고 인권을 침해한 홍콩 당국의 무리한 대응이다. 그리고 세계적인 빈곤과 불평등, 전쟁을 낳고 있는 신자유주의 세계화다. 이러한 폭력에 대한 책임을 무작위로 골라낸 14인의 시위대에 뒤집어씌우려는 부당한 조처는 즉각 중단되어야 한다.  14인에 대한 기소를 즉각 취하하라!

홍콩 당국의 무리한 대응 과정에서 빚어진 인권침해에 대한 책임을 엄중히 묻는다.

12월 17일 에 참가한 이들을 12시간에 걸쳐 연행하는 과정에서, 그리고 연행자들이 여러 경찰서에 구금되어있는 동안 홍콩 경찰은 연행자를 범죄인으로 취급하며 부당하게 대우했고 심각한 인권침해를 자행했다. 저항하지 않고 연행에 응했음에도 불구하고 케이블 타이(Cable tie)를 강제로 채우고 이를 거부할 경우 뺨을 때리거나 구타했고, 전화를 통해 연행사실을 알리거나, 음식을 공급받거나 치료를 받을 권리 등 연행되었을 경우 우리가 누릴 수 있는 권리를 충분히 공지하지 않았음은 물론, 이를 요구할 시 위압적인 자세로 협박하며 거부했다. 우리는 이렇듯 전 세계적으로 비난을 사기에 충분한 홍콩경찰의 인권탄압에 대해 사례를 이미 수집했으며, 고소고발 등을 포함하여 강력하게 대처할 것이다.

신자유주의와 WTO에 대한 세계 민중의 저항은 계속된다.

우리는 이번 사태를 통해 WTO는 물론이거니와 오직 WTO 각료회의를 지켜내는 데 혈안이 되어 민중의 권리를 무참히 짓밟은 홍콩 정부와 경찰, 이 모든 과정을 수수방관하는데 그치지 않고 오히려 이를 폭력시위를 뿌리 뽑는 계기로 삼으려는 한국정부, 그 누구도 민중의 삶을 책임질 의사가 없음을 다시 한 번 확인했다. 홍콩 경찰과 당국의 과잉 대응과 폭력진압 속에서 더욱 굳건해진 전 세계 민중들의 연대, 그리고 WTO 반대 시위에 대한 홍콩 시민들의 끊이지 않는 지지와 연대가 바로 이윤이 아닌 민중의 권리가 바탕이 되는 세계를 건설하는 힘이 될 수 있음을 확인했다. 우리는 어떠한 폭력과 탄압도 이렇듯 더욱 굳건해지는 세계 민중들의 연대와 단결을 파괴할 수 없음을 분명히 하고자 한다.

                                                                 2005년 12월 29일
                                              WTO 각료회의 저지를 위한 한국민중투쟁단
                                                      신자유주의 세계화 반대 민중행동

URGENT! Action tomorrow to support the WTO 14

2006-01-09T04:17:00.000+08:00

Dear comrades and allies,

Join us for a protest demanding the Hong Kong government drop charges against
WTO protestors! Apologies for the short notice.

When: JAN. 9th 2006 12:00pm

Where: The Chinese Consulate
520 12th Avenue (at 42nd Street) New York, NY

Whether or not you can join us for the protest, please sign the online petition
at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/notowto/petition.html. We are planning to
fax hundreds of signed petitions to the Chinese Consulate, Donald Tsang, Hong Kong's Chief Executive, and Pascal Lamy, General-Director of WTO
at 9 p.m. TONIGHT (January 8th, 2006)

Please contact Yulsan at 917-568-6547 if you have any questions regarding a
rally tomorrow.

Why:
The JAN 9th, 2006 is the international action day for 14 Hong Kong detainees charged with "unlawful assembly" during the WTO protest on 12/17/05. Since then these farmers, workers, students and activists not been permitted to leave Hong Kong and return to their families, loved-ones and lives. They are awaiting trial, scheduled for January 11th, 2006. The convergence of thousands of people in Hong Kong during the WTO ministerial (Dec. 13th-18th), including those named below, was a necessary action supported by millions around the globe against oppressive trade policies, and should not be treated as a crime. Incarceration and prison mistreatment cannot silence this movement nor prevent future such gatherings.

We demand that the charges against the following people be dropped:

HWANG, DAE SUB Korean Catholic Farmers Association
YANG, KYOUNG KYU Korean Confederation of Trade Unions
KANG, SEUNG KYU Korean Peasants League
LEE, YOUNG HOON Korean Peasants League
PARK, IN HWAN Korean Peasants League
YOON, IL KWON Korean Peasants League
NAMGUNG SUK Korean Peasants League
LIM, DAE HYUK Korean Confederation of Trade Unions
KIM, CHANG JOON Korean Peasants League
HAN, DONG UNG Korean Peasants League
LEE, HYUNG JIN Korean Peasants League
LEE CHIEN CHING Taiwanese student
MAKAKIRI KOSUKE Japanese journalist, People Newspaper
WEN ZHIMING Chinese national

We stand in solidarity with the 14 who are unjustly charged, along with thousands of other people around the world, who have been so deeply and desperately impacted by the systemic violence of WTO policies. Many have placed themselves in harms way to stop WTO policies, which not only denies them access to food, education and healthcare but also steals their means to livelihood.

toojeng!

2006-01-08T11:39:00.000+08:00

we're all here in new york city, having just finished a successful follow-up/evaluation retreat. since we all had to leave so hastily, so abruptly in hong kong, we didn't get a chance to do anything of the sort. it was long, hard and beautiful. it was great to reunite with everyone - with those we had to leave behind, with those who left before us. even though we had only seen each other just two weeks prior, it felt like a long-lost family reunion. we filled in the blanks of the last days of hong kong, we heard news of our naju dongji's, we looked critically at our roles and experiences, and we prepared hastily for a fundraiser the second we stepped into e & y's home.

we conclueded the evaluations with a round of appreciation and thanks to and for everyone who participated in the once-in-a-lifetime experience, our naju donji's that made it possible, and to our supporters who carried our work through in the stateside. it was a fitting conclusion.

we are now in the midst of calling some of our naju donji's - college student je, sw hyung, sb dongji, and others we are still going to call... they will be with us in our hearts and spirits in the many days to come.

in memory of birjinder anant, comrade in struggle who was with us in wto hong kong

2006-01-05T07:03:00.000+08:00

more shots

2006-01-04T06:39:00.000+08:00

as we began our run past the "permitted" zone, we saw a bunch of other contingents running past us. here is someone who was injured by the hk cops.

this is our "last stand" before they hit us with the tear gas. the image is unfocused because there was not enough light, and my old-school manual camera doesn't have a flash.

the first day of the protest. it was fun - we did a bunch of sit/lay-downs.

mini-police line during the sambo ilbae. striker and i were running back and forth between the naju and women's contingents.

this is my favorite shot. the farmer in the water. could never tell what kind of body of water we were by...

this is my favorite shot. the farmer in the water. could never tell what kind of body of water we were by...

visuals from the ground

2006-01-04T03:29:00.000+08:00

ah, gotta love the pungmul palyers. how i miss playing... it was really amazing to have the beats of pungmul carry us through the protests, especially during the cold night on gloucester st. got my kkwengari-playin', dancin' and sweatin' on in the middle of the night that night.

memorial vigil for martyr lee kyung hae. he looks very handsome in this photo. there were always many people around his alter throughout the week.

a thai farmer from via campesina. he looks hella hard. kinda scary...

yul san and danny before jumping into the waters! unfortunately, coudn't get the after shots cuz i ran out of film.

mong kok. right in front of the hostel we were staying at prior to meeting up w/ the farmers. it was hella crazy in the neighborhood. buisinesses galore, shopping-city central, fancy ladies and dudes everywhere.

Asphalt Farming

2006-01-02T14:26:00.000+08:00

아스팔트 농사

일년 내내 씨뿌리고 뼈빠지게 거두어서
보리농사 망하고 고추농사 조지고
남은 것은 빚 더미 뿐
이세상에 지어먹을 농사가 하나 있어
여의도에 아스팔트 해방농사 지어보세
너 살리고 나 살리는 아스팔트 농사
이 농사가 최고로세
농민해방 앞당기는 단결 투쟁 농사 이 농사가 최고로세

사람답게 살겠다고 죽자사자 일을 해도
사람구실 못하고 이 내 신세 조지고
남은 것은 쭉쩡이 뿐
이세상에 지어먹을 농사가 하나 있어
여의도에 아스팔트 해방농사 지어보세
너 살리고 나 살리는 아스팔트 농사
이 농사가 최고로세
농민해방 앞당기는 단결 투쟁 농사 이 농사가 최고로세

아래의 링크를 눌러 직접 들어보세요!
http://data.plsong.com/청보리%20사랑/청보리%20사랑%20-%20청보리%20사랑%201%20-%2013%20-%20아스팔트%20농사.mp3

Poet Kim Nam Ju's No Rae (Jook Chang Ga-Bamboo Spear)

2006-01-02T03:21:00.000+08:00

you can hear the song by just clicking below.
http://bob.jinbo.net/data/album/mmh09_1986_theday/mmh09_1986_theday_b01.mp3

in remembrance

2006-01-01T05:02:00.000+08:00

just wanted folks to know that a participant in the bay area wt-no contingent passed away very suddenly this past week. details are still sketchy. he was last seen at the san francisco action last friday, and concerned friends tried to track him down when he stopped responding to emails, phone calls, etc. they contacted a neighbor to check in on him who discovered the body. some community folks came to his home and waited until the cops and coroner took his body. we don't know exactly when or how he passed. the autopsy is being conducted today and i'm sure we'll hear more details in the next few days.

i lived with b for about 6 months in 2004. he was a quiet, quirky person who was also warm-hearted and kind. his taste for art was unconventional, but i liked it. he was a smart dude who didn't show off, was very low-key but knew his biz. he adored his cute niece. this has been my 3rd death this month alone. i am sad that i will be in new york during the memorial service. i just want to stop by long enough to show my face in support, drop off a card, some flowers and a few bucks to help his devastated family. is there a way to be in two places at the same time? guess not...

Naju Donji's Original Post

2005-12-31T02:50:00.000+08:00

Finally figured out how to get the hangul to look like hangul and not like jibberish. Good way to procrastinate on admin/fundraising work.

This is our dongji's original (I posted the translation a little while ago.)

홍콩 공항을 이리저리 뛰어 다니며 겨우 비행기 좌석에 앉고 보니 지난 십여일간의 숨가빳던 일정들이 주마등 처럼 스쳐 간다. 처음 대하는 홍콩의 풍경.나무다운 나무 하나 보이지 않는 황량한 산. 산보다 높이 솟아오른 빌딩 숲.

컨벤션 센터 해상 진격 투쟁때 추위속에 오들오들 떨며 바위위에 올랐건만.컨벤션 센터 울타리에서 송곳니드러내고. 으르렁 대던 경찰견 앞에서 느꼈던 좌절감. 상보일배가 무언지도 모르면서 투쟁의지 하나로 3시간여를 차가운 아스팔트에 무릎과 머리까지 부딛혀가던 KEEP동지들에게 느꼈던 복잡한 감정들.

컨벤션 센터 진격 투쟁때 눈알을 도려낼듯 파고들던 겨자 최루액.

십여년 만에 맛본 눈물과 옛 향수가 뒤범벅된 최루가스.

각목을 맞고 쓰러져 가며 마주쳤던 홍콩경찰의 겁에 질린 눈동자들.

황량한 홍콩의 시린 바닷바람속에 치떨었던 길고 길었던 밤샘투쟁.

차가운 구치소 어둠속 쇠창살에 귀를 내밀고 메아리치듯 불러 보았던 동지들의 이름들 .

하지만 구치소의 뺑끼통만큼의 찝찝한 기억도 많았지만 더 많은 순간 나의 가슴을 따뜻하게

해줬던것은 좁은 비행기 좌석을 뒤척이며 23시간여를 비행하여 태평양을 건너 날아와 .많은 농민 노동자들에게 청량제 역할을 해준 KEEP동지들이다.이기적 개인주의가 판치는 미국 사회에서 한국의 민중과 세계민중의 아픔을 같이 하며 항상 해맑은 웃음을 잃지 않던 그들의 모습에서

마치 홍콩의 회색 콘크리더미속에서 핀 탐스런 꼿송이를 보는듯 했다.

자다말고 일어나 병원 통역을 나가면서도 기쁜 마음으로 걸음을 재촉하던 HS.

한반도 통일을 대비해 베트남어를 공부해서 통일후 시행착오를 줄이는데 일조를 하고 싶다며

제비꽃같이 웃던 SJ. 가녀린 몸으로 차가운 홍콩의 바다를 헤엄쳐 바위위에 올라 덜덜떨며 힘차게 구호를 외치던 그녀.한국어가 서툴어 도움이 못된다고 자책하고 안타까워 하던. 고독한 영혼의 향기가 느껴졌던 YS.몽둥이를 다잡으며 희뿌연 최루가스속을 이리 뛰고 저리 뛰던 든든한

투쟁동지 YJ. EH. HS. GJ. Y. 그 외 이름을 기억하지 못한 KEEP 동지들에게 한국 민중의 한 사람 .아니 흙을 일구는 농민의 한 사람으로써 가슴깊은 동지애와 같은 민족임에 자긍심을

느끼며 KEEP 동지들의 앞날에 늘 건강과 행운이 함께 하길 빌며 제가 평소 좋아했던 김 남주씨 시 한편을 올립니다.

제목: 노 래

이 두메는 날라와 더불어

꽃이 되자 하네 꽃이

피어 눈물로 고여 발등에서 갈라지는

녹두꽃이 되자 하네

이 산골은 날라와 더불어

새가 되자 하네 새가

아랫녘 웃녘에서 울어예는

파랑새가 되자 하네

이 들판은 날라와 더불어

불이 되자 하네 불이

타는 들녘 어둠을 사르는

들불이 되자 하네

되자 하네 되고자 하네

다시 한번 이 고을을

반란이 되자 하네

靑松綠竹 가슴으로 꽂히는

죽창이 되자 하네 죽창이

홍콩투쟁을 우리사는 현장에서

2005-12-30T14:25:00.000+08:00

돌아온지 열흘이 지났습니다.
아직도 그때 그 열기와 그 긴장과 환희가 몸과 맘을 가득 채웁니다.
곧 같이 갔던 동지들을 다시 만나게 됩니다. 그리고 조그맣게 보고회도 가질 예정입니다.

그 정신없었던 열흘이 지내고 우리의 투쟁의 현장은 다시 미국입니다.
어떻게 그동안의 말로는 다 담을 수 없는 경험과 가슴 뜨거운 열정을
여기 뉴욕에 우리지역사회에 풀어놓을 수 있을까? 제 짧은 머리로 금방 묘안이 떠오르지 않습니다.

우리가 사는 현장은
영어를 못해서 칭크, 국 이라고 놀려대도
사방으로 쳐진 방탄창 안에서 아침 저녁, 공휴일 할것없이 죽어라 일만 하면서도
네일가게에서 콧속이 헐어라, 등이 펴질 세 없이 일해도
일년 삼백 육십오일 가게 문 한번 못닫고 가족끼리 따뜻한 저녁한번 한자리에서 못먹어도
'이렇게 일하면 언젠가는 나도 내 가게 가질 수 있으려니' 하고
'그래도 미국서 사는게 한국서 사는 거 보다 더 낫겠지, 아니 난 힘들어도 아이들은 더 낫겠지' 하면서
열심히 일하는 엄마, 아빠, 형제, 누이들이 있는 곳입니다.

우리가 사는 현장은
혹시나 미국이 싫어하는 얘기를 하면 쫓겨날까 잡혀갈까
미국사람보다 더 미국을 칭송해야 살아남을 수 있다고 여기면서
남과북, 북과남이 통일을 얘기하는 지금에도, 시대에 뒤떨어진 반공 이데올로기가
아직도 덕지덕지 아무때나 이용되어
미국이 하는 거 반대하면 무조건 빨갱이가 되어버리기 일쑤인 곳입니다.

우리가 사는 현장은
가난하고 힘 없는 세계민중을 억압하고 착취해서
거기서 나오는 부당한 이윤으로 하루종일 먹고노는 부자들 다 배채우고
남은 찌꺼기만으로도 이땅에 사는 보통사람의 눈과 귀를 마비시켜버리기 충분한
물질만능의 땅,
돈이면 뭐든지 살 수 있고
나 혼자만 잘 살면 되는게 너무 당연한 척박한 땅입니다.

저희는 농민은 아니지만, 함께 홍콩에서 희망과 투쟁의 씨앗을 뿌렸습니다.
그리고 배웠습니다. 반세계화 농사는 농민만 짓는것도, 흙에다만 짓는 것도 아니라는 걸.
이 아스팔트 위 에서, 우리의 현장에서,
발전과 진보가 다른사람의 기본생존권을 담보로 하는 것이 아닌
또 다른 세상을 위한 삼보일배를 준비합시다.

Korea police chief resigns...

2005-12-30T03:09:00.000+08:00

it looks like they found a fall guy for the deaths of two farmers in the aftermath of November protests.

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200512/kt2005122917022610440.htm

also Jamie at Two Koreas seems to have a good understanding on the topic.

coverage in NY Korea Times

2005-12-30T02:25:00.000+08:00

사실, 경찰의 '강경진압' 에 관해 기자와 소통이 잘못된것 같습니다...

시위자들과 경찰의 충돌은 경찰들이 (WTO 회의장의로의) 행진을 막았을떼 일어났습니다.

http://ny.koreatimes.com/articleview.asp?id=289281

Post from a Naju Farmer Dongji

2005-12-29T12:50:00.000+08:00

Sent by one of our incredibly strong and compassionate Naju Dongjis. Translated by WTObaksal, with a little editing from me. He'll post the original Korean, including the song, soon.

He writes:

As I finally got to sit down in the plane after running around crazy in the Hong Kong airport the past 10 days, the breathlessly tight scheduled experiences flash by.

It was my first time in Hong Kong. It is a desolate mountain that has no trees, a forest of buildings.

During the marine charge to the Convention Center marine, I climbed on to the rocks shaking furiously with cold and faced frustration when I was greeted by the snarl of police dogs.

KEEP dongjis, not knowing a thing about“Three Steps and One Bow,” but driven by single-minded commitment to 투쟁, seeing all of you going through “Three Step and One Bow” for three some hours on the asphalt, hitting your knees and heads, gave me complex feelings about you.

During the last charge to the Convention Center the pepper spray penetrated my eyes. I wanted to dig out my eye balls. I tasted tear gas again after ten years, mixed in with nostalgia and my tears.

Hong Kong police - eyes that met mine as we struggled - as he fell - filled with devastating fear. The long long all night 투 쟁under Hong Kong’s desolate freezing cold ocean winds.

In cold jail-cell-darkness, ear pressed to iron bars, yelling out names of my dongjis, but only hearing an empty echo.

There are many shit-hole-jail-cell-memories, but there are more memories that warm my heart. It’s the memories of KEEP dongjis who flew 23 hours in suffocating airplane seats to cross pacific ocean, to act as refrigerant to many workers and peasants.

In America where selfishness and individualism is abundant, you share the pain of people in Korea and the world without ever loosing your radiant laughter. In your gestures I saw charming flowers blooming in Hong Kong’s piles and stacks of gray concrete.
One who was awakened in the middle of her sleep to do translation at a hospital, who hurried her step towards her task with a cheerful spirit.

One with a smile of violet who is studying Vietnamese in preparation for 통일, so she can help in reducing trial and error.

One with frail body who swam through cold Hong Kong sea, who yelled out chants on the rocks even though her body was shaking furiously. She who self-reproached and despaired because she couldn’t help provide translation due to her lack of Korean, who has the aroma of a lonely soul.

One a robust struggle dongji who fought fiercely through tear gas-filled air.

To these and all the other KEEP dongji, as a one Korean proletariat, no, as one farmer who works with dirt, I feel deep-hearted dongji ae and pride that I am of same nationality as you. I pray health and happiness will always be with you. I would like to give you a poem that I have always cherished written by poet Kim Nam Ju.

P.S.

2005-12-29T12:21:00.000+08:00

We didn't get to hand deliver our statement, but there's still fax and email.

please sign the online petition
at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/notowto/petition.html and fax the attached statement to the Chinese Consulate at (212) 465-1708

Also, contact Donald Tsang, Hong Kong's Chief Executive at ceo@ceo.gov.hk

or fax 011 (852) 2509 0577 and Pascal Lamy, Director of WTO at fax (41-22) 731 42 06 or enquiries@wto.org with the petition statement.

NY consulate actions

2005-12-29T12:07:00.000+08:00

Nodutdol for Korean Community Development did an action at the Chinese Consulate in New York today. Sorry to say that we couldn’t get anyone to accept our statement and almost got arrested in the process. I would still commend our effort – we put out our message continuing in the spirit of the Hong Kong 투쟁, perhaps got some press, and had a little fun, too.

A group of about 20 of us gathered at 12:30 pm near the Consulate equipped with signs, a bull-horn, copies of 농민가, and print-outs of our statement to give to passers-by and deliver. We began our rally a half a block down from the front door. Our 멋있 는MC led us through chants and singing. He also introduced several speakers from different organizations who gave solidarity statements that put forth our anti-WTO message and called on the Chinese Consulate to condemn the unlawful detainment of our 14 dongji’s still in Hong Kong and demand all charges against them be dropped. Some of us handed out copies of our statement to passers-by, two documented with video and still cameras, one of us spoke to a 한국 일보 reporter. Hopefully he’ll write a story about us.

About half way through our rally I noticed a bunch of guys (who refused to take statements from me) standing on the corner talking into cell phones in Chinese. Not sure what they were saying, but I can guess (just a guess) ‘cause as we were concluding with 농민가 a whole bunch of angry looking cops rolled up in cars and approached us, babbling in what they probably hoped were threatening tones – illegal protest, can’t use sound system, can’t demonstrate on this side of the street, the consulate won’t accept statements, blah blah blah blah blah. All of us except for one continued the song, fists in the air, while that one attempted to reason with the cops. We concluded our rally and prepared to take the statement inside. As a group of us proceeded towards the front door of the Consulate its electronic gate began to drop. Apparently, we were seriously unwanted. We managed to slip under the gate only to be confronted by some tall suit-and-tie white man, also visibly pissed-off. We were loudly instructed that, “See this line? On this side of it it’s the U.S., on the other, it's not, and you have no rights.” We pointed out that at this moment, we had already backed off the few inches necessary to put us squarely in the U.S. (lucky us!). Then our local New York cops took over and told us they would cuff us if we didn’t move across the street. So we bantered a bit until they were really annoyed and kind of on the verge of arresting us (under what charge it could have been, I’m not sure). Then, with ‘a few nasty words on the side’ (please comment if you know where this quote comes from – not cause it’s important, just cause I’m interested), we crossed the street, sang 농민가 again (2x in one rally in nothing compared to Hong Kong where we sang the song 74 times – I counted), and ended. Time to move on to another form of movement work (sorting through NDD mail, processing donations, making phone calls.)…. Yes - it’s all connected, even though sometimes it doesn’t seem like it. Seeing our small group with fists in the air, moving in almost as close unison as 1000’s did in Hong Kong, when I think about, read emails from, hear the static-distorted long-distant voices of my dongjis, I know this is true in my heart/mind.

A few lessons learned/final thoughts
1. It’s a good idea to designated folks who can make quick decisions when stuff like confrontations with cops happen. All others should then follow the chain of command. We call it a tactical team and didn’t have one today.
2. New York cops are not nearly as friendly as Hong Kong cops.
3. How is it that the person elbowing some consulate person in the pictures below didn’t get arrested?
4. Thanks to all the NDD allies who came out.

NY Chinese Consulate Dec. 28th, 12:30 pm

2005-12-28T10:49:00.000+08:00

Join us in New York for a rally demanding Hong Kong to drop the charges against the WTO protestors!

When: Dec. 28th 2005 12:30pm

Where: The Chinese Consulate
520 12th Ave. (near 42nd St.) NYC
Take A,C,E trains to 42nd St. Walk west four blocks to 12th Ave.

If you can't join us for the rally, please sign the online petition
at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/notowto/petition.html and fax the attached statement to the Chinese Consulate at (212) 465-1708

Also, contact Donald Tsang, Hong Kong's Chief Executive at ceo@ceo.gov.hk

or fax 011 (852) 2509 0577 and Pascal Lamy, Director of WTO at fax (41-22) 731 42 06 or enquiries@wto.org with the petition statement.

beyond money money money

2005-12-26T16:52:00.000+08:00

I have been reading US and British media coverage on the WTO protests by Korean farmers, and it's clear that journalists, along with most citizens of industrialized nations, have swallowed the mythical language of GDP (국내 충생산) and comparative advantage (비교 우위).

Basically, they critique Korean farmers' resistance to rice liberalization as being nonsensical because 1) South Korea as a nation experienced overall economic growth in the last few years and 2) because it is 'inevitable' that as nations industrialize, their farming sector shrinks. The logic is: South Korea's making money at the tech stuff, why bother with 'uncompetitive' rice?

In terms of the US movement, if our struggle is first to translate the struggle of farmers all over the world into clear terms, then maybe the first step is the most difficult: challenging the way EVERYTHING is reduced to being a commodity, a 상품. At the other end, the media seems to be saying that protection of rice is based on sentimental nostalgia.

Between commodity and sentimental nostalgia, two gross simplifications of what rice is to Korea and most of Asia, lies the world of farmers and rural communities -- little understood, reduced to blurry green backdrops, and now painted as a threat to global trade conferences -- But in what i glimpsed in Naju and in Hong Kong, farming, and the farmers' movement, is based on a sense of collectivity, creativity, strategic thinking, that we city bumpkins actually have a lot to learn from.

For Koreans from the US, what's the connection? Last year, my mother asked in a total panic, "You're not thinking of going to live in the dirt, are you?" This year she gave me parasite medicine, thinking I've contracted something after going for just a few days to try my hand at farming exposure (농활). Of course, I keep saying, "엄마, 걱정하지 마라!"

But as we shared on our first day in Hong Kong, sitting in a circle in the dust of Victoria Park, we struggle alongside our Korean farmer 동지들 because we know from our lives what commodification and comparative advantage looks like here in the US, because our parents and grandparents have been torn from the land through war, division, and industrialization, and because farming is a way of life, a way of being, not an economic occupation, that must be fought for in this day and age.

I asked one farmer a general question about the farmers' movement (using the word 농민 운동). He responded: Don't use that phrase, farmers' movement. If we are going to keep talking, then first, we have to begin here: I am a farmer. Before anything, I am a farmer. Farming is what I do, everything comes out of the fact that I am a farmer. Can you understand that?

And it takes time to sink in, but yes, in fact, in South Korea and all over the world, being a farmer is resistance, this sense of being is at the heart of the movement. And for many of the farmers we met, being a farmer wasn't about being part of a landed class, about receiving an inheritance of land; it meant leaving the city and 'returning' to the country (귀농), a self-transformation of all the relationships one has, withdrawing from the consumerist lifestyle and easy convenience of city living, in order to mobilize a broad national base of politically conscious farmers, to strengthen the power of farmers against a ruthless industrialization and now globalization drive a la Samsung, Hyundai, and Japanese and US multinationals.

So I think that many of us came back from our dialogues with this conviction: the need to transform ourselves and our movement strategies and our communities, to deepen our understanding of the global connections made via trade and commerce, to go beyond wages, timeclocks, lunch breaks, vacation time. Farming as a starting point: can we understand that?

홍콩경찰에 의한 피해상황 수집

2005-12-26T05:21:00.000+08:00

홍콩 경찰서에 연행 및 감금 상태에서 일어났던 피해 상황을 수집하고 있답니다. 좀 늦은감이 있지만 우리들의 피해상황이 미국에서 갔으며 통역관이라는 사실로 특수하기때문에 14명 석방운동에 도움이 될것같습니다. KEEP Coordinator 분들이 빨리 결정해서 만약 하기로 한다면 일사불란하게 작성해서 보냅시다.

진정서 작성 양식 샘플
>> 진정서 작성은 체포부터 풀려날 때까지 시간순서로 자세하게 작성해 주시면 됩니다. 그리고 친필로 작성해 주셔도 되지만, 가능하면 컴퓨터나 타자기로 타이핑을 하신 후, 맨 마지막에 이름, 날짜, 서명을 해 주시면 됩니다.
이름:
주소:
여권번호:
연락처:
홍콩체류기간:
진정내용:
(경찰에 대한 불만사항을 써 내려나갈 때 아래의 내용을 포함해서 가능한 자세하게 작성)
- 체포시간/장소
-경찰이 체포하겠다고 공표한 후 (약 새벽 세시경) 본인을 체포하기까지 얼마나 시간이 걸렸나?
- 시간이 오래 걸렸다면, 그 기간동안 화장실 사용이나 모포제공 등 기타 요청을 경찰에 한 적이 있나?
- 했을 시, 경찰의 태도나 반응은 어떠했나?
- 기타 불만사항이 있었나?

- 체포당시 경찰의 취급태도 (불만사항이 있으면 자세히 설명)
- 체포시나 그 이후에 경찰이 개인별로 체포이유나 혐의사실을 (통역을 통해 혹은 영어로라도) 일러준 적이 있나?
- 체포후 본인의 권리에 대해 (통역 혹은 한글로 번역된 문건 혹은 기타 등등을 통해) 경찰이 일러준 적이 있나?
- 경찰이 체포하고 이송하기 직전까지 (버스 안 등에서) 구타나 기타 인권침해가 있었나?
- 체포 후 경찰서나 구금시설로 이송할 때까지 걸린 시간과 인권침해 행위
- 그 동안 어떠한 인권 침해를 당한 사실이 있나? (예: 구타 (뺨 때리거나 밟는 등의 구타행위)
- 이 당시 특별히 경찰에 요구한 요청사항이 있나? (화장실 사용, 플라스틱 수갑 사용 금지 등등)
- 이에 대한 경찰의 반응과 태도는?
- 경찰서나 구금시설 유치장에 수용된 후 경찰이 인권침해를 한 사항이 있나? 있다면 어떠한 방식으로 인권침해를 했나?
예) 모포 미지급, 통역미지급, 타올/치약/칫솔 미지급, 화장실 사용제한, 전화사용제한, 플라스틱 수갑 사용, 알몸/속옷차림 검색, 음식제공, 약이나 치료제공여부 등등
- 가족이나 다른 사람에게 연락을 하기 위한 전화나 이메일 사용이 허용되었나?
- 전화 등의 사용을 요청했을 때 경찰의 반응
- 경찰에 대한 불만사항에 대한 진정을 넣을 수 있는 절차에 대해서 홍콩 경찰이 충분히 일러준 사실이 있나?
- 경찰이 수사과정에서 강압적 태도를 보인 적이 있나?
>> 위의 내용 이외에 본인이 겪은 일 중 특별하게 인권침해를 당했다고 생각하는 다른 부분이 있다면 자세히 설명.
## 가능하면 구금을 당한 경찰서의 이름 혹은 경찰관의 이름을 알고 있다면 명시해 주시고, 기억하지 못한다면 근처 장소나 같이 구금당했던 사람들의 이름 등을 넣어주시기 바랍니다.
끝에,
날짜:
이름:
서명:
진정서 접수할 곳:
Complaint Against Police Office (CAPO)
전화: (852) 2866 7700
팩스: (852) 2200 4460번부터 4462번까지
인터넷을 통한 진정접수: http://www.infor.gov.hk/police

미국동포단체 KEEP회원의 노래연대

2005-12-26T05:13:00.000+08:00

WTO 각료회의 저지를 위한 한국민중 투쟁단 웹사이트에서 퍼온 뉴스

구속자 전원석방 촉구 3천배 대장정!!!

구속자를 가족의 품으로! 크리스마스는 조국에서!구속자를 즉각 석방하라! 전농 이광철회원을 포함한 홍콩, 일본 등 홍콩투쟁 참가단이 구속자 전원석방을 촉구하는3000배 대장정에 들어갔다. 12월 21일 갑자기 추워진 날씨에도 불구하고 구속된 동료들의 고통을 함께 하고 조속한 석방을 기원하는 뜨거운 동지애가 넘쳐났다.이 날 많은 홍콩시민들과 취재진이 함께 했으며, 한 홍콩시민은 주변사람들과 작은 정성을 모았다며 10000달러를 전달하기도 큰 감동을 남겼다.

그리고, 3000배를 시작한 쿤퉁법원앞에서 미국동포단체 KEEP회원 4명은"함께 가자 우리 이길을" "상록수"등 노래를 부르며 3000배 대장정에 돌입한 동료들에게 뜨거운 연대를 전하였다.새벽까지 홍콩시민들의 발길이 끊이지 않았다.이날 3000배 대장정을 진행했던 사람들과 한국투쟁단이 쿤퉁법원앞에서 노숙으로 밤을 지샜고,12월 22일에도 오전8시부터 밤9시까지 계속 3000배를 진행할 예정이다. @김동규@

WTO 한인시위대에 가혹행위' 노동상담소 중국영사관 진입시도

2005-12-26T05:05:00.000+08:00

중앙일보 12월 25일

'WTO 한인시위대에 가혹행위' 노동상담소 중국영사관 진입시도

▶홍콩에서 원정 시위대가 구금과정 중 당한 가혹행위에 항의하기 위해 박영준 소장(오른쪽서 두번째) 등 10여명이 총영사 접견을 요구하며 영사관 진입을 시도하자 영사관 직원이 제지하고 있다.<신현식 기자>

제6차 WTO각료회의 미주 한인 원정 시위대 일행이 현지 경찰로부터 당한 불법체포 및 가혹행위〈본지 12월 23일자 A-4면>를 항의하기 위해 23일 오전 LA주재 중국 총영사관 앞에서 집회를 열던 중 영사관 측과 물리적 충돌을 빚었으나 부상자는 발생하지 않았다.남가주 한인노동상담소(KIWA) 박영준 소장 등 10여명은 총영사에게 항의 서한을 전달하기 위해 면담을 요구했으나 영사관 측이 이를 거부하자 인근 민원실 진입을 시도하는 과정에서 영사관 관계자가 박 소장을 밀치는 등 몸싸움을 벌이는 과정에서 출동한 연방 보안요원의 제지를 받고 사태가 종료됐다. 시위대 일행과 남가주 각지역 노동단체 관계자 30여명은 이날 집회 중 기자회견을 통해 "홍콩에서 WTO체제의 세계화 모토를 반대하는 평화적 시위를 벌이던 중 현지 경찰이 고무탄 발사 등 강경진압을 통해 1300여명을 연행했다"고 밝히고 "조사과정에서도 갖가지 가혹행위로 인권을 침해당했다"고 주장했다.한편 박영준 소장은 "일부 언론이 현지 시위대가 폭력적 방법을 사용했다고 전했으나 전혀 사실과 다르다"고 밝혔다.

오종수 기자

신문발행일 :2005. 12. 24
수정시간 :2005. 12. 23 21: 53

중국영사관 앞 과격충돌 시위?????????

2005-12-26T05:02:00.000+08:00

한국일보

중국영사관 앞 과격충돌’시위

입력시간 : 2005-12-24

▲ 남가주 한인노동상담소의 박영준(왼쪽에서 두 번째부터) 소장과 중국영사관 관계자가 몸싸움을 벌인 후 서로 신경전을 벌이고 있다.

노동상담소 등 한인 20여명“홍콩시위 한인 농민 석방 탄원 하겠다”며건물 무단진입 시도 몸싸움 끝 경찰 출동 무리한 시위 비판론최근 홍콩에서 열렸던 WTO 회담 반대시위에서 일부 한국인들의 폭력성이 국가간 문제가 되고 있는 가운데 이번에는 홍콩시위에 참가했던 미주 한인원정시위대가 치외법권 지역인 LA주재 중국 총영사관 건물로 무단 진입을 시도하다 이를 제지하는 공관직원들과 충돌하는 사건이 발생, 무분별한 시위문화에 대한 비판여론이 일고 있다.남가주 한인노동상담소와 조국체험 교육 프로그램(KEEP) 관계자 20여명은 23일 오전 10시께 중국 영사관 앞에서 WTO 체제의 부당성을 알리는 기자회견 및 시위를 가진 뒤 정 지안후와 총영사에게 홍콩 사법당국에 기소된 한국 농민들의 조속한 석방을 요구하는 탄원서 전달을 시도했다. 그러나 중국 영사관측이 이를 거부하고 건물을 폐쇄하자 시위대 여권·비자 발급 건물로 이동, 담당자 면담을 요구하며 건물 내로 진입하려는 과정에서 영사관 관계자와 박영준 노동상담소 소장간에 서로 몸을 밀치는 물리적 충돌이 발생했다.이날 사고는 영사관의 신고를 받고 국무부 보안 관계자와 LA경찰이 출동, 10여분만에 종료됐다.이에 대해 국무부 보안 관계자는 “치외법권 지역인 영사관에 허가 없이 건물 내부로 진입한 행동은 불법”이라며 “영사관측이 시위대에 이미 탄원서 접수 거부의사를 밝힌 만큼 시위대의 행동은 용납될 수 없다”고 시위대의 무분별한 행동을 비난했다. LA경찰국 관계자도 “영사관은 우리도 들어갈 때는 허가를 받아야 하는 지역”이라며 “영사관측이 시위대 철수만을 경찰 등에 요청해 시위대 체포 등 더 이상의 불상사가 없었던 것”이라고 말했다. <이석호 기자>

로스앤젤레스 중국영사관 기자회견 및 항의서 전달식

2005-12-26T04:47:00.000+08:00

[미주]"홍콩 시위자 14명 즉각 귀국시켜라"

[로스엔젤레스=김영희 민족통신 편집위원]홍콩에서 열린 반WTO투쟁중에 연행되었다가 보석 석방된 14명의 시위자에 대해 기소를 취하하고 즉각적인 귀국보장을 요구하는 기자회견이 23일 로스엔젤레스와 샌 프란시스코에 소재한 중국 영사관 앞에서 동시에 열렸다. 뉴욕에서도 함께 하기로 예정되어 있었으나 지하철과 버스노조의 총파업으로 다음주로 연기 되었다.14명의 시위자 중에는 남한 농민 9명, 남한 민주노총소속의 노동자 2명, 대만 대학생 1명, 일본 기자 1명, 중국인 1명이 포함되어 있다.

로스엔젤레스 중국 영사관 앞에서 활동가들이 14인을 위한 연대시위를 하고 있다. "기소를 취하하라" "WTO폭력을 중지하라"등의 피켓이 보인다.
23일 로스엔젤레스 중국 영사관 앞에서 열린 기자회견에는 남한농민들의 통역을 맡으며 홍콩시위에 동참했던 한인노동상담소 박영준소장, 조국체험 프로그램 킵( Korean Exposure and Experience Program: KEEP)의 활동가 김현숙씨, 정미경씨, 다인종 이민노동자 네트 워크의 선우 성민씨, 중국계 미국인이며 함께 홍콩에 갔던 봉제 노동자센터의 키미 리소장, 이민법 변호사인 슈밍 치어씨가 연사로 참가했다. 연사들은 불법집회로 기소돼으나 23일 아침(미국시간) 일단 보석으로 풀려 나와 불구속 입건된 14명 시위자들의 무고함을 주장하며, 홍콩경찰은 강경진압책으로 평화로운 시위를 폭력사태로 몰고 가며 집회와 표현의 자유를 억압했다고 비난했다.홍콩시위에는 미주의 1.5세, 2세의 청년활동가 12명이 참가했으며, 15일 일찍 귀국한 선우 성민씨를 제외한 11명 모두 17, 18일 있었던 대거연행 당시 홍콩경찰에 체포되어 구금되어 있다가 석방되었다.

왼쪽부터 홍콩시위에 참가했던 중국계 이민변호사 슈밍 치어, 봉제 노동자센터의 키미 리소장, 선우 성민씨.

48시간내에 기소되지 않으면 석방되야 하는 현지법에도 불구하고 17일 밤 11시에 연행되었다가 52시간 후에 풀려 나온 박영준소장은 “17일 밤 11시에 WTO 조인식이 있었기 때문에 우리들의 목소리를 들려주기 위해 식장에 좀 더 가까이 가려고 했으나 경찰이 페퍼 스프레이, 최루 개스, 물호스 따위로 강경진압을 하자 일부 시위대가 우발적으로 각목같은 것을 사용한 것은 사실”이라면서 경찰이 먼저 폭력적으로 평화적, 합법적 시위를 방해하며 우발적 사태를 일으켰다고 비난했다.박소장은 홍콩에서 해상시위, 삼보일배, 촛불집회등의 집회와 전통문화공연을 벌여왔던 남한시위대는 마지막 순간까지 평화적인 시위를 하기로 굳게 약속이 되어 있었다고 밝히며, 진짜 폭력자는 경찰이외에도 식량주권을 빼앗으며 농민등 전세계 대다수 민중들의 삶과 지구환경을 황폐하게 만드는 WTO라고 지적했다.한편, 기자회견단은 로스엔젤레스주재 졍 쟌화 중국 총영사에게 홍콩경찰에게 대거연행 되었던 천여명의 시위자들이 당한 인권침해에 항의하며, 무고한 정치범인 14명 시위자의 조속한 출국을 요구하는 내용의 서한을 전달하려고 했으나 기자회견 전부터 출입문이 굳게 잠겨 있어 영사관내로 들어갈 수가 없었다. 영사관에 전화를 해도 서한을 받지 않겠다는 답만 받은 기자회견단은 길 건너 중국 여권부 건물로 자리를 옮겼다.메네저나 수퍼바이져를 만나 서한을 전하겠다는 회견단의 갑작스런 요청을 받은 중국 여권부 직원들은 사무실로 들어 가려는 기자회견단을 몸으로 밀치며 즉시 저지했다. 몸에 손을 대지 말라고 항의하는 회견단과 직원들 간에 2,3분간 싱강이가 벌어지는 사이 영사관측의 연락을 받은 연방수사국(FBI) 요원과 경찰들이 출동했다. 기자회견 때부터 감시를 하던 FBI요원은 여권, 비자등을 받으러 온 20여명의 일반인들이 지켜 보는 가운데 회견단이 허락 없이 사무실로 무단출입을 시도했기 때문에 즉시 떠나지 않으면 현장에서 체포하겠다고 큰 소리로 엄포를 놓기도 했다.이 날 회견단은 로스엔젤레스 중국 영사관과 여권부는 모두 서한받기를 거절한 반면 샌 프란시스코 베이 지역의 중국영사관에는 문제 없이 서한이 전달됐다고 전했다. 회견단은 우편등의 방법을 통해 계속 서한전달을 시도할 예정이다.회견회견 동안에는 동양계, 라틴계, 흑인계, 백인계 등 다양한 인종의 15여명 활동가들이 "연대", "WTO 폭력을 중지하라", "기소를 당장 철회하라"등의 구호가 적힌 피켓을 들고 침묵시위를 벌였다.이번 홍콩시위에 로스엔젤레스에서는 12명의 활동가들이 참가했다.

여권부 창구에서 서한을 전달하겠다며 관계자 면담을 요청하는 정미경씨.

서한을 들고 사무실이 들어 있는 복도로 들어 선 박영준소장을 중국 영사관직원이 몸으로 막고 있다.

중국 영사관 여권과가 3층에 들어 있는 건물 앞에서 기자회견단이 떠난 후에도 경찰들과 사복차림의 FBI요원들이 경비를 보고 있다.

기자회견을 하는 김현숙씨. 이번 홍콩시위는 지난 10년간 WTO가 남한농민들에게 입힌 피해를 홍콩과 세계에 널리 알리는 귀중한 기회였다고 말했다.

자본, 너는 결국!

2005-12-26T03:45:00.000+08:00

세계 어디를 둘러보아도
너를 소유하려는
자본가들의
득실거리는 혈기에
더러워 살수가 없다.

그들은 얼마만큼의
부를 축적하여야
원이 풀리려나?

이 세상 태어난 이후
단 한번도
많은 돈을 쥐어보지 못해
그들이 뭐 땜에
우리의 목을 죄는지 모른다.

네가 누구의 손에
어떻게 얼마만큼 쥐어졌는지
왜 그래야만 하는지 모르지만
가난하고 힘없는 자에게
주어지는 것은
기업인들, 국제경제기구, 경찰, 언론과 정권이
모조리 한 패거리가 되어
부리는 횡포이다...

사회질서
경제발전
합법적인 절차
뻘뻘 들먹이며
기업인들의 자본은 인간을 노예로
국제경제기구의 개방정책은 보이지 않는 칼날로
경찰의 방패는 농민의 삶을 무참히 짓밟는 무기로
언론의 보도는 빤한 거짓으로
정권의 부당한 권리는 서민들을 쇠사슬로
모두 난폭하게
궁지에 몰아넣는다.

한평생
30대인 우리가 자라면서 겪어왔고
60대인 우리 부모 세대도
갈라진 우리의 조국도
억울하게 그리고 처절하게
당한 기억만으로 가득하여
보이지 않는 폭력에 의해
끊임없이 우리의 삶은 빈곤했다.

그런데 우리가 폭도라고?

수구 언론의 카메라는
2005년 12월 17일 홍콩에서 있었던
신자유주의 세계화의
무질서한 개방정책에 맞선
세계민중의 정당한 시위를
불과 몇 시간 포착하여
폭도로 몰아넣어 왜곡하려한다.

우하하하..!
평생 땅만 파던 농민이
365일 돌아가는 기계를 만지는 노동자가
창창한 장래가 보장되어야 할 젊은이들이
힘없는 여성이
폭도라?

여보슈! 그럼 쓰나?
현대사 이후 일어난
기업인들, 국제경제기구, 경찰, 언론과 정권의 패거리가
민중의 목을 조여 온 비인간적인 폭력에 대해서는
언급을 피하고...
그것 또한 너희 패거리의 전술이지.

자본, 너는 결국!
무차별하게 착취한 너를 지키려 안간힘을 쓰는
기업인들, 국제경제기구, 경찰, 언론과 정권
신자유주의 폭도 패거리는
결국 민중의 힘 앞에서
무너질 것이다.

바다엄마

2005-12-26T03:39:00.000+08:00

진정한 용기는
갑작스런 어려움을 당한
동지의 아픈 마음을 헤아려
희생을 감수하며
투쟁의 현장을 접고
동지의 먼 길을 동행한
당신입니다.

투쟁현장에서
보이는 영웅심은 잠깐이지만
아무에게도 눈에 띄지 않게
조용히, 조용히
하지만 뜨거운 가슴으로
동지를 감싸며
평생 잊지 못할
감동을 주었던
당신입니다.

누군 남아서
민중의 열기를 함께 맛보고
싶지 않았겠습니까?
누군 끝까지
투쟁의 현장을 지켰다는
성취감을 얻고 싶지 않았겠습니까?

다른 동지들에게 누가 되지 않으려고
눈물을 눅눅히 감추며
누구보다도
열심히 뜨거운 마음으로
투쟁에 동참했습니다.

항상 잔잔한 애정과 세심한 배려로
동지들을 대하고
자기 자신에게는 철저히
배우는 자세로 임하는 당신의 모습에서
어찌 감동 받지 않겠습니까?

당신은 투쟁이 처음이라고 수줍게 말했지만
어느 누구보다도 위대하다고 전하고 싶습니다.
우리가 미처 갖지 못한
바다같이 넓은 마음을 담고 있어서 입니다.

당신이 우리에게 남긴 교훈
평생 잊지 못 할 겁니다...

thoughts on jail and other rants

2005-12-25T03:40:00.000+08:00

i realize the moments i felt most alone, i was not. while i felt alienated from the women sitting across from me, i was actually sharing an experience with them.

i experienced a moment when you lose absolute control of your life. the inability to eat when you want, drink what you want, or to even piss privately.

my anger was focused yet scattered. i felt emotionally disconnected from my cellmates. at times i think i was projecting my own fear, my lack of control and attempting to impose them onto my cellmates. i was jealous that one woman was able to sleep so well, so easily. i was tired of hearing from another woman. i was angry about the fact i had to stay in my cell while my fellow english speaking dongjis got to go in and out. at least they were being productive, keeping busy. i felt powerless, paralyzed. and in that scattered anger, i did not take advantage of my privileges. i could have advocated on behalf of the whole group, but instead advocated for one or two.

i thought about what the differences would be if we were getting arrested in the u.s. it would be entirely different under what circumstance you were getting arrested for, but i still recognized the privileges i have as a small, asian woman here in the u.s.. i began to understand more fully the messages of prison activists’ writings. what i mean to say is that i don’t pretend my 12+ hour experience in hk compares anything to political prisoner legends such as george jackson, mumia, angela davis, etc., but that i got a mere sliver of a taste. i thought deeply about their writings and experiences and felt a newfound level of respect for them.

every time i closed my eyes, i saw the individual faces of the farmer dongji’s i got to know so well over the past week, and especially more so the previous night. i truly felt at home with them on that cold street, talking, chiding, singing and dancing with them. i saw the faces of dosa nim, kibal ajushi, kwigeori hwejangnim, my new kirok chingu, m.s. shi, and all the others who made an indelible mark on my life.

the self-sacrifice, the spirit of struggle, the willingness to give your own life for something you believe in. the discipline we so lack here in the u.s. i hate to romanticize the experience or the farmers. these are also crass, sexist, and alcoholic men. but it was during that week that i saw past that and understood them deeper, as they revealed their souls to me. i had a meaningful and full discussion on sexism with m.s. he didn’t try to make excuses for a pig brother who harassed me (it was the second time in two weeks that i was harassed by a man). he simply apologized, asked me for my forgiveness, and said they will definitely follow up when they got back to n.

this will sound cheesy and corny, but i will risk being seen as that. i read my horoscope before leaving for hk. it said that i could fall in love. i wondered who i could possibly fall in love with, but i now realize it was the entire n contingent of the korean peasants league. they have won my heart over, despite the male sexism, despite the huge cultural differences and language barriers.

it is on this and previous keep trips that i have been able to more fully develop myself as an activist in the u.s. it was on my 2003 trip that i got to speak publicly for the first time while feeling the power and depth from which i was speaking. and it was this trip that i got to lead chants in front of hundreds of farmers and supporters without feeling small and inadequate. i kept repeating the same chants over and over again because i felt that if we kept repeating enough, with enough power, that it was inevitably going to happen. that the power of the people on that street, on that night will absolutely will it to happen.

i think this has been a long enough rant for now. more than long enough, i suppose...

자주고름 입에물고...........

2005-12-24T15:42:00.000+08:00

어제 오후 엘에이에 도착해서 마중나온 동료들로부터 두부와 소주 대접을 받았습니다. 편한 집에 돌아와서 잠을 잤는데도 깊은 잠을 못 이루었는지 아직도 정신이 없습니다. 먼저 미국에 돌아온 KEEPER 들 그리고 함께 홍콩투쟁에 참여한 외국인 동료들이 준비한 중국영사관 앞에서의 기자회견 그리고 중국영사에게 홍콩 14명 석방하라는 항의편지 전달과 오후에 한인타운 언론들과의 기자회견에 정신이 아직도 몽롱합니다.

수면부족으로 꿈속 절반 속 피행기 안에서 몇자 끌쩍 거렸는데 지금 읽어보니까 당시의 흥분되어있던 내 마음이 많이 실려있어 좀 쪽팔린 것 같아 나중에 고쳐 쓸까하는 생각도 했지만 같이 활동하는 사람들에게 내 맘을 보이는걸 쑥스러워 할 것이 아니라 오히려 솔직담백해야 한다는 엣날 품성론이 생각나 썼던 그대로 정면돌파할렵니다.

자주고름 입에물고...

수중시위를 결정하는 과정이 어땠을까 상상해봅니다. "홍콩투쟁의 원칙으로 평화적이며 창조적인 방법. 하지만 그래 갔고는 각료회의장에 접근할 길이 없다. 경찰선을 뚫을 수 없다. 육로가 아님 공중은? 우리에겐 날개가 없지 않는가? 수중은? 그래 수중이다."

대원 안전보장을 위해 구명조끼 300개 급조... 각조(10명~16명)에서 두명씩 자원. 우리 KEEPER 조에서도 두명의 자원자 각출.

빤스와 구명조끼만 입은 농민들 속에서 율산 (KEEP Coordinator 님들...불로그에 이름을 쓰지 않기로 했다고 들었지만 미국에 돌아온 이 시점에도 이 규율을 굳이 지켜야 하는가요? 이름을 꼭 쓰고 싶은데) 손 꼭잡고 기자들을 떠밀어내며 큰 소리로 속삭이는 말. 한손을 꼭 잡고 또 한손은 높이들며 Down Down USA 구호 대신 필리핀 노동자들이 외치던 Fuck You USA 라고 외치며 뛰어들자고... 허리높이의 쇠창살벽을 넘어 20피트 정도 높이의 방파제 끝에서 구호를 외치며 첨벙.... 암것도 안보이는 안들리는 물속, 제법 짠맛. 푸우 .... 머리가 나오니 제일 먼저 보이고 들리는 건 먼저들어온 농민들이 한손을 물밖으로 휘두르며 Down Down WTO. 같이 장단맞쳐 외치는데 수중전 투쟁주체 마이크로 내리는 명령..
각료회의장을 수영해서 점거하라!
수영? 난 그런거 할 줄 모르는데.. 구명조끼 믿고 둥둥 떠있기만하면 되는 줄 알았는데... 그 황당함이라니.. 몸돌려 돌아보니 약 1.5마일에서 2마일 거리..

"Yul San, They want us to swim to Convention Center. I can't make it but you should try"
"I Can't leave you behind, danny"
" No, Go, Go, I'll catch up to you"
율산이 물을 차고 나가는 걸 보고 따라갈려고 허우적 거려봤자 제자리. 파도와 시간을 못 맞추어 짤물 두세번 꿀꺽. 율산이 떠난 쪽을 바라보니 벌써 누가 누군지 모를 거리가 벌여졌지만 갈료회의장을 향해 수십개의 구명조끼가 힘차게 물을 헤쳐나가고 있었습니다. 수영을 못하는 것이 얼마나 억울하던지.. 단념하고 물에 떠있는 다른 수많은 동료들과 파도와 물살에 몸을 맡기고 구호만 외치자. 최대한 버티자. 한참후에 Rope를 메어 만든 줄 사다리들 몇개가 물살이 흐르는 방향으로 줄줄이 내리워 졌습니다. 뚝에 서서 안스럽게 우리들에게 외치는 수백명의 목소리들... "그만됐어.. 이젠 들어와! 얼어죽겠어.." 한참 후에야 한두명씩 돌아가는 모습들이 보이기 시작...그리고 또 한참후에야 줄사다리에 메달려 미끄러운 세멘트 벽을 줄사다리에 메달려 휘청거리며 올라가는 모습들이 보였습니다. 배낚시를 너무 많이 하는 나는 속으로 "다행이다. Bay 안이라서. Swell도 낮고 Wind Chop도 없어서.." Swell 에 밀려 바위에 부딪쳐 죽는 것까지 목격한 나로서는 춥지만 바람이 없는 날씨가 너무 고마왔습니다. 이젠 율산이가 헤쳐나간 쪽은 구명조끼 색깔인 오렌지 점만 몇개 보일뿐이었습니다.

이젠 꽤 많은 사람들이 사다리에 메달려있었습니다. 나두 나가기로 결정하고 사다리를 향해 허우적 거리기 시작, 짠물 몇번 벌컥이고 도착해서 나왔다. 제방위에 서있는 수백명의 환호를 받으며 우리 깃발을 찾으러 가는데 뺑둘러 모인 사람들이 아래를 쳐자보는 자세로 누가 가운데 누워인는 듯 보였습니다. 누가 다쳤나보지?.... 두번째 둘러싼 사람들 가운데 눕혀져있는 사람은 Hypertermia로 사시나무같이 떨고 있었습니다. 바보같이 그때서 번쩍 생각이 드는 것은 율산이 걱정이었습니다. 깃발을 향해 뛰다가 뒤로돌아 각료회의장 쪽으로 가며 아직도 물속에 있는 사람들을 주시했으나 안경이 없어선지 너무 멀어선지 보이지 않았습니다. 쪼끄만하고 삐짝말른 율산이를 생각하며 Body Fat이 없는 사람일 수록 추위에 못견딘다던데 어떡하지? 혹시 먼저나와 우리 깃발 밑에 있을 지 몰라 생각이 들자 다시 뒤돌아 뛰기 시작했습니다. 언제나 우리를 기다려주는 고맙고 든든한 깃발에 도착했지만 다른 회원들은 옷을 갈아입거나 갈아 입고있는데 율산이는 보이지 않았습니다. 이젠 내 몸도 물에서 나온지 꽤 시간이 지났는지 내 의지와는 달리 제멋데로 떨고 있다는 걸 느꼈습니다. 마른 옷을 들고있는 내 빽팩을 맏은 Liz가 보이지 않았습니다. 옷통을 벗고 주위 농민회원들이 주는 못을 받아 일단 웃몸을 딲아내고 서있는데 날 그때야 발견한 경진이 놀라며 Liz가 어디있는냐며 울음반, 화난얼굴 반 뛰어다녔습니다. 농민회원들과 같이 엘에이에서온 동료들의 잠바들로 몸을 감싸고 있는데 영과 경진의 반가운 목소리.. "danny 형 Liz 찾았어! 율산이도 같이있어" 다시 물에서 나왔던 지점으로 사람들을 헤치며 뛰기 시작. 도착한 곳에는 물에빠진 생쥐 율산이가 KEEPER에 둘려싸여있었습니다. 수천명 속에서 율산이가 먼저, 그 담엔 나, KEEPER의 후배들- 그것도 여자후배들이 몸으로 둥그랗게 막아준 원안에서 홀랑벗고 옷을 갈아입었습니다. 누군지 모르는 농민들이 계속주는 소주와 홍콩술을 너무 고맙게 반갑게 들이키며 몸을 덥혔습니다. 그후에애 정신이 나서 "율산아 Are you okay?, Where were you? I couldn't see you. I was so worried." 다구치는 내 물음에.....율산이 하는 말.

"Oh danny hyung.... it was so cool! when i got to convention center, we all stood on the rock and chanted Down Dwon WTO and all other chants... and we sang nong min ga.... and i don't know if it was because we were so cold or if it was because we accomplished our goal, but we did this group hug. there were about twelve of us who made it and i had to be in this group hugs with all these korean farmers who only had their underware on. " 율산이는 허풍을 치는 것도 잊지 않았다. "Mannnnn, I could've been the first one to get there if it wasn't for the stupid oversized life vest that kept comming off of me."

율산이!
당신의 말을 듣고있는 나에게 비춰진 당신의 모습은 더이상 물에빠진 생쥐의 떨고있는 모습도 아니었고 가냘프게 작고 마른 재미동포 3세가 아니었습니다.

당신의 모습은 한참 올려봐야하는 시커멋고 거대한 말위에 앉아 ..........자주고름 입에물고 옥색치마 휘날리며..... 외세와 전투에서 승전하고 마을로 돌아온 의연한 고구려 려장군이었습니다.

여러분 말이됩니까? 있을 수 있는 일입니까? 자본의 이익을 위해서는 지옥까지 가는 쫓아가는 놈들. 세상의 모든것을 사유화, 상품화시켜 자신들만의 이익을 극대화하겠다는, 이익을 위해서는 모든 세계 민중을, 지구 전체의 사물을 고통과 고난 그리고 멸망으로 몰아 넣으면서도 손가락에 침을 묻혀 돈만세고 있는 신자유주의, 이에 항거하는 전세계민중을 폭력과 전쟁으로 협박하고 진압하는 신자유주의의 얼굴인 WTO 각료회의장을 단 한방에 뚫은 사람들이 바로 우리 민족 농민들과 율산이라는 한국인 3세라는 사실이 말아됩니까? 이 사실을 홍콩경찰, 홍콩언론, WTO는 한미디도 언급하지 않았습니다. 쪽팔려서겠지요.

우리가 있는 자리에서 100피트도 떨어지지 않은 눈앞에서는 육로로 각료회의장에 가겠다는 민주노총과 경찰들이 대치하고 있었고 좀전에 한바탕 붙었는지 5명이 연행되었다는 소식이 스피커에 흘러나와도, 수중시위대중 1명이 심장마비로 또 한명이 Hypertermia로 병원에 입원했다는 방송속에서도 내눈에는, 우리 KEEPER들 눈에는, 나주농민들의 눈에는 당신의 모습, 고구려 려장군의 모습밖에는 보이지 않았습니다.

5명의 석방과 병원의 2명이 안전히 돌아오기 전까지는 농성을 풀지 않기로 했습니다. 오랜 수영에서 온 피곤 탓에 차가운 밤, 아스팔트에 움츠러져 새우잠 자는 당신에게 덥어준 잠바 하조간은 당신에 대한 뜨거운 가슴, "끝까지 같이한다" 동지관계의 시작이었답니다. 5명의 석방과 2명이 치료를 받고 돌아왔다는 소식을 듣고 다음 투쟁은 홍콩번화가인 SOHO 백화점 앞으로 나가 홍콩시민들에게 WTO의 폭력성을 알리는 춧불집회였습니다. 촛불시위를 끝낸 후 숙소로 돌아갈 버스를 탈 장소에 가서 예약의 혼동인지 홍콩 경찰들의 장난이었던지 고픈 배를 움켜쥐고 3시간 이상을 버스를 기다렸다 겨우 숙소로 돌아오는 첫날의 투쟁을 소화해냈습니다.

하루, 이틀, 시간이 지날수록 전농속에서는 율산의 투쟁소식이 퍼져나갔습니다. 당신과 같이가다가 힘들어 돌아왔다는 얘기.... 누가 자기를 추월해서 자나가는데 보니까 작은 소녀여서 놀랐다는 얘기... 대표적인 사람은 같은 나주농민회원의 얘기였습니다. 자신의 수영 속도를 일부러 늦추어 당신의 곁에서 호흡을 마추며 각료회의장까지 같이 갔다는 홍채씨.... 물에 나온 후 수백명 사이에 잠이든 율산이에서 떨어져 의젓하게 앉아 앞만쳐다보던 당신의 옆모습... 하지만 담배를 빨때에는 추위에 손이 계속 사시나무처럼 떨고있던 당신의 모습을 보여 안타까와 KEEPER 들이 과자를 갖다주면 웃으며 거절하던 당신.... KEEPER들이 잠바와 목두리를 벗어 쒸워 드릴려 하면 똑같은 웃음으로 거절하던 당신.... 하루 빨리 나주의 도사님의 명언을 들었다면 이때 써먹었을 터인데.... "나의 목두리를 거부하는 것은 동지의 사랑을 거부하는 것입니다." 아뭏든 홍채씨가 율산이 곁에서 수영을 하며 함께 각료회의장을 점거했다는 사실을 며칠이 지난 후였습니다. 이후 우리 번역대에 찾아와 자리에 없는 율산과 얘기하고 싶다고 말없이 한시간 이상을 기다리는 사람은 멋쟁이 투사 홍채씨 외에도 많았으며 실천과 학습의 바쁜 일정 속에서도 농민회는 시간만 나면 율산의 투쟁 소식을 나누며 자신의 결의들을 다졌습니다.

내 동지, 우리 모두의 동지, 나주농민회의 동지, 홍채의 동지, 율산이......
홍콩 WTO 6차 각료회의장 돌바위 위에서 "자주고름 입에 물고 옥색치마 휘날리던" 려장군 당신에게 걸맛는 노래 하나 드립니다.

함께가자 우리 이길을
투쟁 속에 동지모아
함께가자 우리 이길을
동지의 손 맞잡고
가로질러 들판 산이라면
어기여차 넘어주고
사나운 파도 바다라면
어기여차 건너주자
해떨어져 어두운 길을
서로 일으켜주고
가다못가면 쉬었다 가자
아픈다리 서로 기대며
함께가자 우리 이길을
마침내 하나됨을 위하여

마지막 정리는....... 구호로...

신자유주의 박살내고!
통일농업 이룩하자!
통일농업 이룩하자!
Down Down WTO! 투쟁!

another interview on kpfa

2005-12-24T06:45:00.000+08:00

as a follow up to the week below. you can listen if you want, it's a bit more articulate than last time:
http://www.kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=11790&page=1&type=

post-colonial cities

2005-12-24T06:17:00.000+08:00

Of the WTO protests on the 17th, the newspapers in Hong Kong kept repeating that "Hong Kong hasn't seen a riot on this scale since 1967."

After a little research, the truth of the matter is that the 1967 'riots' were actually an uprising against British colonial rule.

When I think about our detainment, and the ways in which the entire mass of protesters was contained by the rows of police, and the ways in which the mainstream papers tried to demonize Korean farmers, I realize that, as in Seoul, this is all we can expect from a place that is still colonized, a city that is so dependent on foreign capital.

The city will perform on behalf of foreign investors, but mask it under 'rule of law.' The 14 detainees from the protests have been released on bail, but the ridiculous charges are a way of Hong Kong saying to the world, "We have it under control. Your money is safe with us."

The fact is that there are thousands of points around the globe that are striving for the honor of facilitating neoliberal globalization, and we, as Koreans from the US, have come back to live in three such cities ourselves: San Fransisco, Los Angeles, and New York.

So when I think about the crackdown that happened to the transit union in New York, that stood up for basic worker rights when so few unions are doing that right now, I know that it's because New York city's government is just as concerned with making sure that, above people or communities, money can continue to move, and continue to be concentrated in the top 2% of the population.

I remind myself that this is our struggle too, even as we are all probably thinking of Naju and our dong-ji farmers.

successful s.f. rally

2005-12-24T05:56:00.000+08:00

there are so many things i could be following up on right now - to the press, to all the supporters, and to the hong kong officials. muti-tasking, or at least trying to. i wanna thank wtobaksal for his moving update. i was curious, worried, and afraid for them and all of our farmer donggis still left inside. it heartens me to know there were still positive experiences in such a nasty place.

we had a successful rally in front of the hong kong economic and trade office in downtown this morning. around 30 supporters came out on the eve of the holidays. to know they sacrificed even this much makes me feel awake. there were a lot of chinese press, and kpfa. i received a call from a korean press outlet just after we concluded the rally, and i gave him an interview.

i was so very thankful to all the allies that came out full force yesterday and today. i was scared that i would have to do this myself and wondered how it would be possible. the media work got done, the outreach was taken care of, the program, signs, and other details were all checked off the to-do list by midnight last night. all day yesterday, i kept receiving email messages from people asking hong kong authorities to release the 14. these messages came from both people i know well and those i've never met. i remain grateful and heartened to know that we will continue to support each other.

this morning brought the good news that bail was granted for the 14 detainees. even though they are still forced to stay in that godforsaken land called hong kong, at least they are no longer imprisoned, under the control of a machine.

here is the statement i read to the public today. please forgive me, it was written on the short bart ride into san francisco this morning:
"the 14 brothers who were released on bail is the good news. the bad news remains that they had been illegally arrested and detained until early this morning. the fact also remains they have been illegally charged with unlawful assembly and the fact remains that we have a long battle ahead of us.

the wto and its destructive policies forced over 10,000 protesters to gather in hong kong. the hong kong police, in cahoots with the wto repressed basic human rights for over 1,000 protesters when they blockaded a peaceful rally, refused food, water and bathroom facilities to be brought into the rally, then arrested all of us without charge.

in jail, we heard reports of women being stripped searched by male officers, we heard reports of beatings and painful constraints. we had to fight, and fight hard for our given rights such as water, sanitary napkins, and our one phone call in jail.

they speak of violence targeting the police. the real violence came from the police and the wto policies that are killing farmers, workers and other third world brothers and sisters world wide.
we call upon the hong kong authorities and wto to permanently release and drop all charges against our 14 innocent brothers. we will not rest until this is accomplished and the wto is fully dismantled."

2005-12-23T13:32:00.000+08:00

just came back from koon dong court house where i was detained in the first floor for 52 hours. at 6 oclock, a farmer who fought off his fellow farmers to stay behind in hong kong to see his dong gi farmers get freed started his 3000 bows.
we had an honor to have a warm tea with him prior to start of his bowing and we had tea with with none other than a ordinary rough dark stocky korean farmer whom we spent last couple of weeks with. he was not an hero and he was not special.
his bow was accompanied by one japanese activist and one other person from hkpl.
it is horrible night for such action. cold as hell and it's so windy that we could not stand still.
his 3000 bow will take three days until 23rd when 14 detained will have another hearing.
he will fast with the other hk activist who had already been fasting since last wednesday while he is bowing.
his name is lee kwang chul.
we stayed and watched three of them bowing, the grusome bowing, never ending bowing.
after an hour, when all the media left, one of keeper started singing nong min ga-farmers' song with tears in it's voice.
four of us stood there and sang and sang nong min ga hoping this act will give them the warmth and strength to continue on.
after an hour and half, the japanese activist fell out and another hkpl member took on the bowing. we took out keeper's song book and sang for next two hours until we had no voice left.
hk citizen who didn't wish to reveal her name came to us with an envelop saying hk people support farmers' struggle and said she collect money among her friends to donate to people in jail. opended up the envelop..... 1400 us dollars.

a beautiful 7 years old hk girl came with her parents.
parents brought cloths and blankets. 7 years old brought her own crayon drawing.
the bowing had to be stopped eruptly because she wanted to give the drawing to the korean farmer her self. she drew three person standing and at the bottom of each person it read korean, hong kong, hong kong.

tell me wto, with all the money and power you have.... when you went up against min jung-the awakened mass- farmers, fishermens and poor..... who do you think won?? you know you got slaughtered......

i am sorry i can't send you the pictures right now...... this is a letter that was circulated right before the bowing began to begin 'three-thousand bowing' and hunger strike.

my dear hong kong citizens

three thousand bowing is to remove hatred and sins from those who bowing, by lowering themselves to the ground. it is also to release hatred from the people who ight have been victimized by the bower. farmers and workers from korea and all over the world came to hong kong to object wto and the consequences of the wto negotiation that put ordinary people in the world into the misery of poverty and exploitation. our action against wto was not to destroy but to creat a world, which is more peaceful and equal for all people. we threw ourselves into the freezing cold sea. we marched miles by bowing to the ground every three step. on december 17th, we wanted to get?our voice heard to the delegations in the convention centre.?In the attempt for us to go closer to the converntion center in wanchai, we were stopped by poice whose only concern was to cocnceal the negotiation and protect by all means the interest of the rich at the expense of the poor.?In desperation, frustrated protsters clashed with poice and occupied streeet overnight, asking them to guraantee the right to express our concerns. we now start three-thousand bowing for two nights and three days, to apoalogize hong kong citizens for any inconvenience caused by actions taken by protestors and police.?In doing so, we want to release hatred from oursevles and Hong Kong citizens and want to assure that it was not our intention to cuase trouble to people in hong kong.?We love ohng kong.?We do not dislike anyone in hong Kong.?What we dislike is ont he WTO.?We hope that our real intention will be delivered to the people in Hong Kong through our three thousand bowing and hunger strike for two nights and three days.?your kind understanding and fellowship will help our colleague farmers and workers from Korea, Taiwan, Japan and China to be released.?They are living days and night in loneliness, in a prison cell in a country where they have never been before.?Please help us to bring them back home so that they can spend christmas and new year's with their family.

PS - the lollipop cameraman is healthy.

Urgent Appeal to Free the Fourteen

2005-12-23T05:34:00.000+08:00

Urgent appeal by the Hong Kong support group for Anti-WTO protest detainees
20th December 2005

Please sign the online petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/nowto/petition.html) or folks in Los Angeles can attend an action TOMMORROW in front of the Chinese Embassy.
Urgent appeal by the Hong Kong support group for Anti-WTO protest detainees

Dear friends,

We write to request your immediate solidarity action against the Hong Kong government’s mass arrest and violence against the anti-WTO demonstrators on the 17th and 18th of December 2005.

Currently, 14 male demonstrators including 11 Koreans, 1 Japanese, 1 Chinese, and 1 Taiwanese are still held in police custody and will be up for trial this Friday, the 23rd of December.

As members of various international and local Hong Kong civil society groups, we strongly condemn the mass arrests and crackdown against WTO demonstrators. We assert the legitimacy of protest, and continue to support and call for the unconditional release of those who are still detained. We call for better treatment of detainees, and demand an apology from the Hong Kong authorities for their actions.

Various solidarity actions, listed below, have been planned for Hong Kong. We call for international solidarity actions on and before the 23rd of December. Please find below background information and further suggested actions including a sample email. We urge you to contact the Hong Kong authorities today and call for the detainees to be released and the charges to be dropped!

Updates and more information can be found the website of the Hong Kong Peoples Alliance on the WTO: http://www.hkpa-wto.org/

For more information, please contact:

HKPA Documentation Team
hkpa.documentation@gmail.com

Further Local Action:
1. Starting at 4:00pm on the 21st of December a member of the Korean Peasants League will bow 3000 times in front of Kwun Tong District Court, Kowloon.
2. Local activists will continue a hunger strike, started upon initial arrests on the 18th of December.
3. Symbolic visits to the three detention centers where detainees are being held will take place during the day of 22nd of December for Winter Festival. Tong Yuen desserts will be brought as a gesture of reunification.
4. A candlelight vigil will be held on the evening on the 22nd of December at SOGO pedestrian zone from 9:00pm to 11:00pm.
5. A solidarity demonstration outside of Kwun Tong District Court will be held on the 23rd of December starting at 11:00am.
Suggested International Action:
1. Please contact the Hong Kong authorities to demand that those in custody be released, and that the charges be dropped.
2. Please send Hong Kong People’s Alliance, at hkpa.documentation@gmail.com, your message of solidarity to be used during the local demonstration at Kwun Tong District Court on the 23rd of December.
3. Please arrange international protests on or before the 23rd of December at your local Chinese embassy
Background:

On December 17 the Hong Kong police arrested hundreds of activists who were trying to reach the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in a demonstration to protest against the policies of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). At around 5:00 pm, they were stopped by the police, who used pepper spray, water hoses and eventually, tear gas, to disperse them. Many demonstrators were injured and some were hospitalized.

Reports from the legal support group and those arrested reveal that many have been
mishandled or beaten by the police and were denied medical aid, food, water and bathroom facilities.

By now most arrested have been released, but the HK government sent 14 demonstrators to court on 19th of December charging them with unlawful assembly under the HK Public Order Ordinance. These people include 11 Koreans, 1 Taiwanese, 1 Japanese and 1 mainland Chinese (names listed below). The judge rejected bail out requests. They are now in police custody pending trial on the 23rd of December. The police might charge them with more serious offences.

Those persons still detained:

HWANG, DAE SUB Korean Catholic Farmers’ Association
YANG, KYOUNG KYU Korean Confederation of Trade Unions
KANG, SEUNG KYU Korean Peasants’ League
LEE, YOUNG HOON Korean Peasants’ League
PARK, IN HWAN Korean Peasants’ League
YOON, IL KWON Korean Peasants’ League
NAMGUNG SUK Korean Peasants’ League
LIM, DAE HYUK Korean Confederation of Trade Unions
KIM, CHANG JOON Korean Peasants’ League
HAN, DONG UNG Korean Peasants’ League
LEE, HYUNG JIN Korean Peasants’ League
LEE CHIEN CHING Taiwanese student
MAKAKIRI KOSUKE Japanese journalist, People Newspaper
1 mainland Chinese

next steps

2005-12-21T20:27:00.000+08:00

how strange to be back in new york. even more strange, and somewhat frightening that, with every minute, it becomes less strange to be here. this is my little study/art space, this is my computer with all its viruses, this the planner i left behind - days dec 8 - 19 blank of u.s.-based obligations... and here's a whisper of something of the hk reality rapidly transforming into memory-smoke - a letter given to me by my swimming dongji the night before we were arrested, a letter i still have not applied dictionary to, still have not fully understood.... and sitting the page, a tiny picture of him that i carried through that final protest, through prison and through the air all the way back to here.

spent half of yesterday asleep and half crying. inspite of all i can count as gains - our message out, loud and clear, winning the hearts of the hk people, solidarity built among people from all over the world, experience, knowledge and connection with nongmindeul gained by KEEP people - the equation is at least balanced if not weighted towards the other side - for me personally, so many moments when i could not communicate, or worse, communicated the wrong thing to the wrong person, the fact that we fled hk without saying good by to our dongji still in jail (most out now, by 11 or so to be tried) and, perhaps most devastating, the newspaper headlines read "A Deal!." time to gather the actions, learning, questions, and confusion and piece together this giant puzzle, build a complete, and hopefully beautiful (beautifully hopefully) picture.

why am i writing this? as with basically everything i chose to do it hk, it is as much for me as it is for the movement. looking for strength, looking for a way to add just a little...

what i want to write to all of you (my KEEP chingu, my comrades in the movement, and myself) is something like this - now that we are back and the fucking M6 has closed out with a shaky, but existant deal, the next step is both vague and very clear. the task we are faced with is more difficult than communicating across language, cultural and gender barriers and far more difficult than swimming across a cold harbor, bowing once every three steps from v park to the convention center, and facing riot police, tear gas, and stupid hk prison. for me it's even more difficult that not being able to fight as hard as i wanted to, than remembering my mistakes and than leaving without saying goodbye. the task is to carefully and skillfully build that puzzle eventhough we are not by our u.s. nature careful and skillful. and after we have done that, to look long and hard and with love at its picture and figure it out - figure out how (now back in our respective cities) to move the struggle forward with the same aggressive compassion, strength and will that was our privileged to share while we fought along side the kpl.

hallucinations

2005-12-21T05:04:00.000+08:00

on the airpalne, while waiting and taxiing on the runway, i kept hearing the chats “down, down WTO, down down USA, WTO baksal naeja!” i wasn’t sure if it was real or imagined. i was sure however, it must be real, but that i just couldn’t see the demonstrators because of the tiny windows and the inaccessibility of the airport. i thought that there were protesters at the airport to protest the official delegates’ departures and to support the protesters who were leaving hong kong. i wasn't sure though, who could be protesting with such force, with such a number when all of our farmers and supporters were either still behind bars, or leaving the godforsaken place asap.

i relealize now that i was hallucinating. receiving only 4 or so hours of sleep in about 54 hours can do that i suppose.

we since learned that most of everyone who were detained have been released, except for 14. one of those happen to be a documentarian that was part of the n contingent we were with. i am concerned about him, his safety and his release. i also hear they are trying to use the footage he got for their own purposes. during the all-night struggle, i got a chance to speak with him a bit. we sang songs together and after my crappy rendition of sarang-ga, he gave me a lolipop that someone had given him. i still have that piece of candy because it means something to me.

i also remain concerned about the others who are still being held. i want to generate as much international support for them as possible. they need to be released asap.

i have returned to work today, and have conflicted feelings. the everyday mundane matters of the bay seem trite, but i also know that my everyday mundane actions will soon take over. it's all a matter of time. but i want to keep this experince as close to my heart as possible, because it was so precious, so unique. my personal experience - in jail, at the protest, on the streets - was not unique or special compared with everyone else who was there, but it was something i know i will never experience again.

even more thoughts to come... i gots to get back to work, i suppose.

늦동이들 보고드립니다

2005-12-20T19:07:00.000+08:00

박영준과 CY 보고드립니다. 빵에서 나왔습니다. CY과 저는 각각 다른 깜빵에서 있다가 Y은 어제 저녁 9시 30분 정도에 나왔고 저는 오늘 세벽 1시경에 나왔습니다. 늦게까지 빵에 있으며 빵 안에서도 힘찬 투쟁들을 잘 전개했고 덕분에 새로운 동지들도 많이 사귈수 있었으며 좋은 교육들을 받았습니다. 함께했던 동지들 너무 보고싶고 멀리 미국서 계속 우리들의 투쟁을 애정어린 눈으로 속속히 보고 있으며 응원해 주시는 모든 분들에게 감사를 드립니다. 아직 14명이 기소당해 감옥에서 고생하고 계시며 이중 11명은 우리나라 사람들이고 나머지 3명은 외국인 형제들이랍니다. 나주 농민들은 한사람, YS만 빼놓고 다들 오늘 아침 귀국했습니다. 남은 저희 4명, HS, EH, Y, 영준은 오늘 홍콩경찰들이 자행한 감옥속의 인권 유린 문제에 대해 자세한 사례들을 들어가며 기자회견을 통하여 온세상에 고발했으며 이때 우리 KHS씨도 발표를 했습니다. 저는 빵에서 제일 늦게 나와 정신없이 있다가 오늘 기자회견때에서야 우리 여성동지들이 당한 엄청난 일들 알게되었습니다. 가슴이 타오르고 눈물이 앞서며 너무도 억울합니다. 어려운 일을 당했음에도 굿굿히 이겨나가는 여성동지들의 의지, 너무 감사합니다.

법원에 가서 석방요구 집회에도 참석했습니다. 지금은 상황실에 있습니다.

아직 충분한 논의를 한 바는 아니지만 미국에서 온 모든 동지들과 함께 인권유린 문제에 대한 투쟁을 빌미로 WTO 반대에 대한 교육활동을 미국으로 돌아가서 하는게 어떤가 합니다. 대충은 법적투쟁 그리고 홍콩영사관 앞 투쟁이 어떤가합니다. 미국에 계시는 동지들도 상의해주시기 바랍니다.
동지들 많이 보고싶습니다.

Down Down WTO
투쟁

잘 다녀왔습니다

2005-12-20T06:26:00.000+08:00

반갑습니다
그동안에 투쟁일정이 바빠서 많은 동지 여러분에게 소식을 전할 수 없었습니다. 많은 분들이 소식을 기다리고 계셨을 텐데, 이제야 전하게 됩니다.
많은 동지들이 아직도 구금되어 있는 가운데 먼저 홍콩을 출발하여 23 시간을 다시 날아오면서 마음이 편하지 않았습니다. 뉴욕에서 마중나온 친구들을 보면서 뒤에 갇혀 있던 우리 대원들과 대다수의 농민운동가들이 석방되었다는 얘기를 들었습니다. 아직도 풀려나지 못하신 우리 농민들께 밖에서 계속 연대투쟁을 할 것을 다짐하면서 그동안 못 전한 소식을 전해 드릴까 합니다.

12 월 17 일 (투쟁의 날)

오전 중에 출발해서 오후까지 빅토리아 공원에서 집결해서 전열을 가다듬고 기다리고 있던 차에 갑자기 떡이 [ 해외 동료들에게 드리는 감사의 편지] 와 함께 전달 되었습니다. 홍콩의 시민들이 그동안의 WTO 투쟁단의 소식을 듣고 격려의 뜻을 담아 전달한 글을 받아들고 결의를 가다듬었습니다. 그자리에 함께 하진 않았지만 항상 WTO 투쟁소식을 귀기울여 주시는 우리 동지여러분께 함께 나누고 싶어 홍콩시민의 연대 인사를 올립니다.

[해외 동료들에게 드리는 감사의 편지]

이렇게 멀리까지 와서 각자 삶의 이야기를 나누고 이 '쇼핑 천국' 이 가난한 나라와 개발도상국의 노동자와 농민의 피와 땀에 기초해 만들어졌다는 것을 깨닫게 해주어 고맙습니다.

여기 홍콩 사람들은 자신의 생활에만 관심을 갖고 다른 사람들에게 관심을 두지않는 경우가 많지만, 여러분들은 친근한 표정과 웃음으로 우리를 대해주어서 고맙습니다.

여러분의 목소리가 주류 언론에서 왜곡되고 묻혀버렸지만, 인내심을 가지고 우리와 언론에 wto 의 파괴적인 영향을 설명해 주어 고맙습니다.

여기 홍콩에서 WTO 의 합의를 중단시키고 그래서 이 도시가 농민들의 죽음에 더 이상 공모자가 되지 않도록 노력해 주신데 감사합니다.

인간 존엄성의 의미를 드러내는 여러분의 행동을 통해서 인간존엄성이 경제적 이익보다 훨씬 중요하다고 얘기하고 그럼으로써 이 썩은 돈냄새 나는 도시에 신선한 바람을 불러온데 대해서 감사합니다.

정부와 기업의 유착으로 넘쳐나는 이 도시에 빈곤, 환경, 착취, 외채, 농민, 불공정 무역, 개발문제 등 국제 시민사회의 의제를 소개해준데 감사드립니다. 이러한 의제는 여기 홍콩에서 풀뿌리 수준의 움빅임이 다양하게 국제화 하는데 기여할 것입니다.

여러분의 한결같은 행진을 통해 연대의 의미를 우리에게 보여준데 감사드립니다. 민중의 연대와 상호지원 그리고 장기적인 투쟁이 있어야 민주주의가 이루어질 것입니다.

우리의 집회문화에 여러분의 색감, 노래, 춤, 몸짓언어를 소개해준데 감사드립니다. 이를 통해 우리가 시위가 무언가 조용히 권력에 요청하는 것이 아니라 민중의 권력과 창조성을 표현하고 드러내는 것이라는 점을 알게 됩니다.

우리는 여러분이 보여준 모든 것에 깊은 감동과 영향을 받았습니다. 그리고 우리는 앞으로 국제평화와 정의를 위한 투쟁에 여러분과 어깨를 맞대고 함께 하기를 희망합니다.

홍콩의 친구들
http://www.inmediahk.net

kpfa inteview

2005-12-20T02:38:00.000+08:00

i did an interview with kpfa's apex express on friday. it was immediately after we heard some devastating news on behalf of a dong-gi, so my thoughts were scattered.
http://www.kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=11672&page=1&type=

many still in jail

2005-12-20T01:56:00.000+08:00

just got back to the bay area an hour ago. i wanted to post asap to generate support for our men folk. i don't know where to start, but i will try to be organized in my thoughts.

the men farmers (and 2 of our homies) are still detained, to my knowledge. at least that was the last word as of 12pm 12/19 when i left hong kong. i was stricken with sadness at abandoning our dong-gi's. our farmers who have been so kind, open and giving. and our own menfolk... what will happen?

the numbers of the total arrests have been mixed. i have heard anywhere between 900-1200 peeps. i don't know for certain. when we got back to our compound at around 4am on the 19th, we were told that we would all leave, except for a few who would stay behind to make sure our men got home safely as they were being released. it would be on an one-by-one basis. and as soon as they would be released, they would have to leave. it was crazy at the compound. those who had stayed behind were fenced in themselves, not able to come nor go. they couldn't do anything for us. they were powerless. i was so glad to see some of faces of the men who came back before the arrests. i kept thinking of all of those who are still there. in any other situation, we were told, we would stay and continue to struggle. struggle to get our menfolk released, struggle for our dignity. but this situation was our of our control. we were told from the top that there is nothing we could do with such small numbers and no resources.

i met some of the thai folks at the airport. the one thai woman who was in jail with us was there. i was so glad to see her, as i was worried for her. she was the only non-korean in our jail, and i didn't know when she would be released. thinking of having to be in that shitty hell-hole by herself was terrifying for me. she said that there were 50 thai men still being held.

the ladies were all released around 10pm - 12am ish on the night of the 18th. we were part of the first crew (from the n delegation) to get arrested around 6-ish am, and we got to the jail (i don't even know where) at around 10am. we met with some attorneys from hong kong people's alliance a few hours later, and i was so glad to see a in the meeting serving as interpreter. we were told that if all went well, we would all be released around 3 or 4. if not, we might have to stay in there for 48 hours, since none of had been charged with anything.

4pm came and went, and no news. some folks left to meet with a human rights attorney, but still no word. we were initially told that they would let everyone go peacefully. we heard that there were still 300 people on the streets, still struggling, still fighting for our release, to close down the wto talks. they were struggling for us. but a few hours later, my hopes crashed when i heard that the police wanted to investigate and make sure the leaders were held accountable. i didn't know how long we'd be in there and i was getting more down be the hour. every time i tried to sleep, all i could see was the farmers' faces, smiling and joking with us. each face has a special place in my heart. some of them will stay longer than others. those who will get caught being on the front lines (i don't know how they can determine that in 48 hours with so many people still locked up), or leading the "violence" will get punished severely, as we were told. what does that mean... how long will they be held? what will happen to them? how can we help...

i had many conflicting thoughts in jail. i thought about being at home, in my comfortable bed, with a hot shower under my belt. i thought that it was better for us to have gotten detained so that others could still fight and struggle. i thought, damn! i should have stayed behind. but what options were there at that point? it was either behind cold and hungry inside jail, or being cold and hungry on the streets. either way, it was hellish.

i will finish my thoughts later. i need to get my priorities straight and make some calls.

lastly, i was privileged and honored to have been able to lead some chants while were were on the streets, just prior to the tear gas. a held it down proper and i contributed my 2 cents too.

toojeng!

Mass Arrests!

2005-12-18T04:15:00.000+08:00

1:30 AM HK time (12:30 PM NY time)
WTO protesters (too-jeng-dan) seem to be at the foot of the WTO convention center and they are completely surrounded by riot police. There are around 900-1000 with no one allowed in or out. The police are planning to arrest everyone inside the perimeter. The too-jeng-dan have not had food since lunch previous day. They cannot even use the bathroom. But their spirits are as high as can be with non-stop chanting and singing and banging on drums.
Earlier in the day rubber bullets were reported to have been fired and some were hospitalized.
The police are readying buses to transport the 1000 or so too-jeng-dan. They are also preparing tear gas squads for the charge in.

3:00 AM HK time (2:00PM NY time)
Got a call from e. She states calmly that they will all be arrested, but tells me not to worry because there are many of them. They have the power in numbers. The HK police cannot do anything to them!

3:30 AM HK time (2:30PM NY time)
Spoke with E again.
Police are all very young kids, inexperienced. Mostly they seem very frightened.
E was able to translate between the chief of police and the too-jeng-dan. It's strange but the chief of police seems very sympathetic to the farmers’ cause and understands why they are protesting but still explains that he must restore order.
The HK police have no precedent for such violent and mass arrests so they are very procedural and everything is taking a lot of time.
The protesters have agreed to be arrested, but one by one. There are tons of reporters and cameras covering this whole event. The WTO too-jeng-dan have already made their voices heard and will not struggle when taken.
They are being taken one by one and the HK police have promised to be very gentle with them. Largely the HK police are very young, frightened and civil at the same time and it’s chief has so far been cooperative. (who knows how this will really play out though).

The WTO too-jeng-dan has so far been pepper sprayed, tear gassed, beat on with batons, electric batonned, water cannoned (they also mixed in pepper gas formula in the water to burn eyes & skin when sprayed), exposed to chilly HK winter winds, hunger and fatigue…so show a little bit of wear but they are still in strong fighting spirits.

D who went out earlier to the hospital to translate for an injured protester was arrested by the police. Same thing also happened to J when she went to the hospital. Otherwise the rest of the KEEPers are all together inside the perimeter. KEEPers are hungry and tired but are very inspired to be part of this historical struggle. They will never forget this experience.

That’s it for now. If there's more I will let you know.

Toojeng!

WTO Saturday

2005-12-17T19:35:00.000+08:00

This is just a brief transcript of a phone call with a KEEPer. You can catch a lot more of what’s happening here:
http://www.gomediaction.net/

E jumping past numerous barricades…heavy breathing
They are almost storming the convention center, congregating in front of the convention center
Helicopter in the air
Police are surrounding the convention center
E at the front (peasants league are taking up the front)

Lot of people flushing eyes w/water but running out of water
Streets are slippery from all the poured water
Wrested away one police shield
In the background can be heard drums and screaming, sound of shield clashing/crashing
Riot police are pushing forward into the crowd.
They pushed up their position so it’s now more difficult for the protesters to get through.
Mixture of protesters & people w/cameras wanting to take picture
Int’l group of around 6 doing a “sit-in” in front of the riot police. They are multi-racial…can’t make out exactly who they are
Some kind of gas coming through the air…looks like tear gas
HK citizens donated goggles/water/juice/food/water yesterday. So a lot of people today are wearing those goggles
Drums beat relentlessly
Korean protesters are split up into two groups. Junnong & kctu. Heard that KCTU are badly hurt.
Protesters are tearing apart railing/fencing. Lots of screeching/klanging noice…with continual drum beats
There are a lot of regular HK citizens out here mixed in with the protesters in the street. So many cameras…
Down down WTO chants to the backdrop of drums and kwengari
Silence…wind howling eerily…
Dynamic Poongmool( 3che) starts up again
Protesters are surrounding the convention center so the delegates cannot leave
Cries of triumph can be heard midst “down down wto” chants. Mixed in with “down down usa”
HK citizens are passing out saran wraps so the farmers can cover their eyes
Most people in the front have saran wraps or goggles. Sitting down and waiting. As a side noteMany farmers have on life jackets from Monday's swim in the bay.
Protesters tried to break through again and got pepper gassed...
--HK will never be a quiet city again—

Statement From Hunger Strike in Support of Korean Farmers

2005-12-17T06:32:00.000+08:00

Posted on targetwto.revolt.org

Hong Kongers hunger strike in support of Korean farmers against the WTO

2005.12.16

Declaration of Hunger Strike

Small Farmers Struggling for Their Last Stance;
Hong Kong People Standing Together in Hunger Strike

Over the last few days, we, a group of Hong Kong people, believe that many locals have been inspired and touched by people coming here from around the world to challenge the WTO. We have been deeply moved by them, too. Traveling from afar, friends from Korea have brought us beautiful rhythms, songs, and stories of their struggle and suffering. The Korean farmers and workers have expressed great kindness in the face of their demonization by the media and government.

The sincerity embodied in yesterday's march – whereupon they performed a full-body bow every three steps, bowing the distance from Victoria Park to outside the Convention Centre – clearly moved the people of Hong Kong, bringing some onlookers to tears. In their steps and bows, we can see strength in humility, the true power of a people. After their pilgrimmage, the Korean farmers and workers treated us to their dinner of Korean rice at the protest area. After benefiting from their generosity, we thought of the rows upon rows of police barricades and the overwhelming power of the establishment that they face just to get their voices heard.

We are a small group of Hong Kong people. What can we do to support the Korean farmers? After serious discussion, we decided that the only way to support them is to go on hunger strike. We resort to hunger striking because we face an extremely violent power. We have no choice but to use our own bodies as weapons. Hunger striking is a most peaceful yet powerful form of protest.

The restricted zone outside the Convention Centre used to be a public place, belonging to the people. Now, the government has surrounded the restricted zone with fences and police barricades. The restricted zone is unjust because it only serves to protect the world's most powerful governments and capitalists, allowing them to meet in safety and secrecy. They meet inside closed doors, without having to listen to or consider the real voices and stories of the people whose very lives their policies affect. As hunger strikers, we have chanted and marched and written about these issues, but the police lines blockading the Convention Centre from the people outside are rigid and unmoving. Corporate power does not respond to people's suffering and demands. We have no choice but to hunger strike.

The WTO's Agreement on Agriculture (AOA) not only harms the Korean farmers who are now at the front lines, but countless others around the world trying to maintain their livelihoods, such as fisherfolk, peasants, and other groups. These traditional ways of life are oppressed by capitalism and free trade, and are in danger of disappearing. Compared to these serious threats, our suffering, as Hong Kong people, is miniscule. Our actions are small. However, besides hunger striking, we have no other way to express our respect towards these peoples and concern for the suffering. We also have no other way to express our anger towards and resistance of the WTO and the Hong Kong government, which is equally complicit in crimes against humanity.

Our bodies are our only weapons. We demand:

1.That the restricted zone be opened and the police barricades removed;
2.That the WTO opens its doors to the people outside the Convention Centre, and acts on their concerns;
3.That the WTO delegates remove the items of agriculture and fishery off the agenda. They need to take the needs of the poor seriously, since food is a basic right.

At the same time, we sincerely hope that Hong Kong people can join us and support us. We hope that Hong Kong people will contribute to the life and dignity of our friends from overseas.

Back from HK

2005-12-16T04:08:00.000+08:00

This post is from an email from a Korean Angelena who was not part of the KEEP delegation but travelled together, and had to come back early:

Hi Everyone,

I just got back from Hong Kong and everyone in the KEEP delegation is doing well and having a lot of fun. I spent my last night with KEEP and the farmers drinking soju, eating anju (dried fish & kotchujang), and singing movement songs. All the farmers & Via Campesina members from Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, Thailand, & Zimbabwe were practicing the "1,2,3 bow" move for the action today/yesterday. It was amazing to see the solidarity and bond that farmers in Via Campesina have. There were many times this week where I've had to hold my tears back or wipe them from my face. I am and will be continued to be moved by the farmers movement. Last night when I was drinking, singing with a group of farmers... one of the women from the Women Farmers League sang a song that she sang when her husband died during a protest. I was going to lose it right there but I just swigged on some soju and then it was my turn so we sang "We shall not be moved."

Although the HK media is quick to portray the Koreans as violent, the HK people in the streets have been very supportive and happy to see the farmers. KPL has been staging nightly candlelight vigils/educationals at a major HK shopping intersection. The HK people were very supportive and many joined in on the vigil. I have to say that the HK people and media are thouroughly intrigued by every move the Korean farmers make. I heard some of the farmers saying how weird the people/media is with their focus on them. They even have HK media camping outside of where they're staying.

D and Yul San are doing well after their swim protest in the cold Hong Kong bay. Everyone is trying to fight what is now called the "D flu" because he was out the first couple days we were in HK. I think folks are sick of eating the provided Do Shee Rak cuz I heard J wants some Pho!

This experience has inspired me to really try to go on KEEP so hopefully I will get to meet some of you all one day. Until then....my thoughts are with them and the Los Angeles Delegation. Toojeng! WTO Bandae Han Da! Kong Ee Sai Mau!

Peace,

L (Los Angeles)

Photos: marching for our lives

2005-12-16T03:29:00.000+08:00

In the march, farmers take three steps and bow, three steps, bow, three steps, bow...
Many of these photos are provided by Junnong, the Korean Peasants League.

From tongilnews.com

"WTO에 비하면 고통은 아무것도 아니다"
한국민중투쟁단 1500명, 홍콩시민 공감속 '3보 1배' 거행

2005-12-15 오후 9:45:51

홍콩 = 이강호 기자(tongil@tongilnews.com)

▶15일 한국민중투쟁단 등 1,500여 명이 2km에 달하는 거리를 3시간에 걸쳐 '3보 1배'를
거행했다. [사진제공 - 전농]

한국 농민들의 대규모 '3보 1배' 행렬이 홍콩 중심가를 지나 6차 WTO 각료회의가 열리고 있는 홍콩컨벤션센터까지 이르렀다.

15일 전국농민회총연맹(전농)과 민주노총 등 '한국민중투쟁단'과 '비아캄페시나'(농민의길) 등 국제 반세계화 단체 회원 1천 5백여명은 'Down Down WTO'를 홍콩 시내거리에 가득 울려퍼뜨리며 빅토리아 공원에서 홍콩컨벤션센터 인근 빅토리아항 주차장까지 2km에 달하는 거리를 장장 3시간에 걸쳐 '3보 1배'를 거행했다.

'3보 1배'를 시작한지 채 5분도 지나지 않아 참가자들의 얼굴은 어느새 붉어지고 땀방울이 맺혀졌다. 20분마다 주어지는 5분간의 휴식시간마다 거리에 눕는 참가자도 있었다. 참가자들의 눈빛에는 '홍콩 각료회의를 저지해야 한다'는 절실함을 넘어 비장함마저 느껴졌다.

▶홍콩 시내 차로에서 5열 종대로 '3보 1배'를 거행하고 있는 반세계화 시위자들.
[사진제공 - 전농]

'3보 1배' 행렬은 참가단위를 기준으로 1개조 100여명으로 구성됐으며, 각 조마다 1개의 플랭카드만 허용되는 등 홍보물도 최소한으로 제한됐다.

특히, 홍콩 경찰당국의 비협조로 방송차가 허용돼지 않았지만, 특별히 대열지도자가 없어도 구호는 'Down Down WTO', 'Down Down USA', '꽁이 싸이 무'(抗議世貿, WTO 반대한다)로 통일됐다. 참가자들은 5열 종대로 3박자 북소리에 맞춰 1배를 올릴 때마다 이 같은 구호를 외쳤다.

14일 저녁 뒤늦게 홍콩에 입국한 한국민중투쟁단 오종렬 공동단장은 고통을 자처하는 '3보 1배'의 의미에 대해 "WTO가 민중에게 강요하는 고통이 몇 십년동안 지속돼 왔다. 그래서 우리는 WTO를 반대하는 것이다"며 "신자유주의 제국주의 대리자인 WTO를 지구상에서 청산하는 대투쟁이다"고 목소리를 높였다.

▶'3보 1배'에 임하는 한국 농민들에게선 비장함이 묻어났다. [사진제공 - 전농]

이날 '3보 1배'에 임하는 농민들의 각오도 남달랐다.

순천시농민회 채성석 조직교육부장은 "농민들이 죽어가는 현실에 비하면 '3보 1배'의 고통은 아무것도 아니다"며 "WTO 체제가 더 지속된다면 끊긴지 오래된 아기울음 소리뿐만 아니라 아예 사람이 살 수 없는 농촌이 될 수 없다"고 말했다.

또 그는 "농산물은 교역의 대상이 아니며, 농업은 농경사회를 지키는 훌륭한 전통문화로 인정돼야 하고 그에 따라 보존돼야 한다"고 강조했다.

해남군농민회 김영동 회장은 "WTO에서 농업을 제외하라고 하지만 비농산물이나 교육, 지적재산권, 교육 개방문제는 어떻게 해결하라는 말이냐"고 말하며, "WTO 자체를 해체하는 길이 농업 문제뿐만 아니라 전세계 민중을 살려내는 길"이라고 말했다.

그는 또 추곡수매제 폐지 등 '살농정책'에 대해 "결국 우리 농업을 직접 지배하는 것은 WTO"라면서 "3보 1배라는 자기고난을 통해서 WTO에 대한 항의의 뜻과 절절한 심정을 국내 통상관료와 세계에 알리겠다"고 덧붙였다.

▶휴식시간에도 홍콩 언론의 뜨거운 관심이 쏟아졌다 .[사진제공 - 전농]

이날 '3보 1배'는 한국민중투쟁단의 '폭력성'만을 부각시키는 홍콩 언론의 '황색' 저널리즘을 불식시키는 의미도 있었다. 실제로 한국농민들의 위력적인 해상시위 등 13일 세계민중대회를 보도한 대부분의 홍콩 신문들은 특집란을 털어 홍콩 경찰과의 충돌 등 자극적인 사진만을 게재했다.

한국민중투쟁단 주제환 상황실장은 "어려운 길을 자청하는 이유가 있다. 홍콩까지 와서 우리가 왜 투쟁을 해야만 하는 이유에 대해 귀를 기울여 달라"고 호소했다.

그러나 우려했던 바와 달리 한국민중투쟁단의 투쟁방식을 이해하고 지지를 보내는 홍콩 시민들도 많았다. 기자가 만나본 홍콩시민들은 홍콩언론의 보도행태에 대해 대개 '미디어의 특성상 경쟁과 헤드라인을 뽑기 위한 것'이라고 입을 모았다.

▶3보 1배 행렬이 컨벤션센터가 건너다 보이는 빅토리아항 인근 주차장까지 이르렀다.
[사진제공 - 전농]

▶3보 1배를 마친 참가자들이 환호성을 올리고 있다. [사진제공 - 전농]

홍콩 각료회의와 관련해 반세계화 시위를 총괄하고 있는 홍콩PA(HKPA, 홍콩민중동맹)는 이날 3보 1배와 함께 자원봉사자를 동원해 영어와 함께 광동어로도 홍보전을 벌였다. 홍콩PA 통역원들이 3보 1배에 대해 '한국투쟁단의 평화시위를 위한 의지, 민중들의 고통을 표현해내는 의식'이라고 소개하자 거리에 도열한 홍콩 시민들에게서 박수가 쏟아졌다.

홍콩 시민 Chu wai ping(朱偉平, 40세)씨는 "WTO가 가난한 이들에게 이익이 되지 않았다는 지적에서 감동을 받았다"며 "언론보도와 달리 한국인들이 쓰레기를 줍는 장면도 봤고 매너도 좋았다. 옳은 말을 하고 정당한 투쟁을 벌이고 있다고 생각한다"고 말했다.

▶Lam oi wan 씨가 '지지농민'의 피켓을 들고 응원했다. [사진제공 - 전농]

'支持農民(지지농민)'이라는 피켓을 만들어 광동어로 구호를 외쳤던 Lam oi wan(林蓮雲, 30세)씨는 '3보 1배'에 대해 "WTO가 한국 농민들의 삶을 파탄내려는 것을 충분히 느꼈다"면서 "홍콩 시민들이 잘 모르는 WTO를 알려내기 위해 홍콩에 온 것을 고맙게 생각한다"고 말했다. Lam 씨는 이어 자발적으로 3보 1배 행렬에 참가하기도 했다.

이날 3보 1배는 오후 2시 20경부터 시작됐으며 대열선두가 빅토리아항 인근 주차장에 도달한 시간은 5시 20분경이이었다. 이날 행진에는 전농 '원정투쟁단' 전원을 비롯해 민주노총, 한국노총, 다함께, 한총련 한국민중투쟁단 참가단체가 참여했으며, 전국여성농민회연합 회원 100여명의 경우 이날 오전에 열렸던 '세계여성행동'에 참가했다가 빅토리아항 인근 주차장에서 3보 1배 행렬을 맞았다. 한때 농민 참가자 3명이 행진을 마치고 빅토리아항에 뛰어 들어 'Down Down WTO'라는 구호를 외치기도 했다.

한국민중투쟁단 대표단막灌?오종렬, 정광훈 공동단장을 비롯해 전농 서정길 단장, 민주노동당 강기갑 의원, 강병기 단장 등이 대열 선두에서 3보 1배를 소화했다.

▶한국민중투쟁단은 빅토리아공원 중앙무대에서 정부의 기조연설 초안을 규탄하는
기자회견을 가졌다. [사진제공 - 전농]

한편, 3보 1배에 앞서 빅토리아공원 중앙무대에서 한국민중투쟁단이 외교부 김현종 통상교섭본부장의 기조연설 초안에 관한 규탄기자회견을 가졌다.

김현종 통상교섭본부장은 14일 오후에 있을 홍콩 각료회의 기조연설에 앞서 기자단에 배포한 연설문 초안에서 협상이 진전될 수 있도록 농업부문 등 민감품목에 대해서도 신축적일 용의가 있다고 밝혔다가 실제 연설에서는 문제의 문구를 삭제한 바 있다.

오종렬 공동단장은 김현종 본부장의 기조연설문 초안에 대해 "WTO에 의해 가장 혹심하게 피해받는 한국농업이지만 협상 진전을 위해 희생시킬 용의가 있으니 다른 나라들도 한국의 모범따라 협상을 조속히 타결해 달라는 말"로 해석하며 "제 나라 민중을 팔아서 자기 영달을 꾀하려는 작태를 당장 중단하길 바란다"고 전했다.

▶3보 1배에 앞서 참가자들이 구호를 외치고 있다. [사진제공 - 전농]

▶첫날 해상시위에 이어 한국민중투쟁단은 3보 1배로 또다시 뜨거운 관심을 모았다.
[사진제공 - 전농]

▶3보 1배가 진행되자 홍콩시민들이 깊은 관심을 보였다. [사진제공 - 전농]

▶3보 1배는 매우 고통스러운 자기성찰 의식이다. 휴식시간에 길거리에 드러누운 채
휴식을 취하고 있는 한 참가자. [사진제공 - 전농]

▶한 3보 1배 참가자가 생수를 마시며 갈증을 풀고 있다. [사진제공 - 전농]

▶3보 1배를 마친 뒤 한총련 학생들의 율동을 즐겁게 감상하고 있는 시위대.
[사진제공 - 전농]

And more photos...

2005-12-16T02:40:00.000+08:00

Photos courtesy of Guy Taylor.

Compilation of images from last two days of resistance against the WTO in Hong Kong

2005-12-16T02:31:00.000+08:00

from UK indymedia

Farmers and Police Dec 13, 2005

2005-12-16T02:29:00.000+08:00

More photos...by Handle and Puck, sfbay indymedia

Photos: Korean Farmers in HK December 13, 2005

2005-12-16T02:20:00.000+08:00

Some photos...

dscn1787.jpg, image/jpeg, 640x480
[Handle, SFBAY indymedia]

Then delegates from the Korean Peasants’ League stripped to shorts, strapped on bright orange life vests and pushed through the crowd to the edge of the water.--

dscn1791.jpg, image/jpeg, 640x480
[Handle, SFBAY indymedia]

dscn1792.jpg, image/jpeg, 640x480
[Handle, SFBAY indymedia]

dscn1793.jpg, image/jpeg, 640x480
[Handle, SFBAY indymedia]

dscn1794.jpg, image/jpeg, 640x480
[Handle, SFBAY indymedia]

Sahmbo-ilbe

2005-12-15T23:03:00.000+08:00

...But many bystanders have also lined the streets to watch the marches and on Thursday some found themselves choked up as hundreds of South Korean farmers made their way slowly down city streets taking three steps, denouncing the WTO, then kneeling down and bowing.
"I want to cry. It's so sad," said Angel Ng, working at a shop selling fruit drinks. "There should be a better way, a more equitable way."
K.S. Ho, a civil servant, gave a thumbs up to the protesters from South Korea, who say opening their country's market to imported rice will put them out of business.
"I am very, very sympathetic to them. They have a just cause," said Ho. "Hong Kong has been on a free trade course, but Hong Kong should support them because they suffer from the WTO."
..reuters.. to see the full article

You can see a video here

2005-12-15T01:06:00.000+08:00

--sent in by Am--

HMC just called (12 midnight HK time) and we spoke hardly five minutes. She and the others are well and in good spirits. She and several others have been having colds on and off. Where they are staying is like a compound and the KEEP HK group is in a house all to itself. In another house nearby are the Korean farmers.
Apparently they have been getting sick, too, but they came prepared with a medical team. She said the Korean food in HK is bad that even the Korean farmer contingent asked folks back home to ship kimchee immediately. It just arrived today. She described where they are staying as out in the boondocks. No telephone, no television, and of course no internet access. So she/they may be unable to e-mail between now and departure. As for internet cafes, they are just too busy to look for one.
She said the march route tomorrow is short, so in order to lengthen it, they plan to take three steps forward then kneel and repeat until they reach the end of the route. The weather is expected to be 44 degrees, unusually cold in HK at this time of the year.
I let her know that we got news of the 300 farmers who jumped in the water, including Yulsan and D and told her about the interview on Asia Pacific Forum with Yulsan and the Korean farmer (no offense for leaving him nameless; I just can't remember or spell his name!) and Ppori the translator (yeah!).

Day1 w/Farmers (12/12)

2005-12-14T22:36:00.000+08:00

Hello everyone,
mamakim called with some updates:

This was their first day of action WITH the farmers. It was very eventful. Their day began waking up at 5am or so and it was 10:30 at night when I received the call and it seemed like most of them were just starting to head back to lodging. They haven’t had a bite to eat since lunch and have been on their feet all day long.

300 farmers decided to jump into the water to go around the WTO police barricade. Yulsan and D joined the action. Yulsan succeeded(congratulations!) in crossing the harbor with many of the farmers but D I heard didn’t make it. I was very shocked because having fished with him I know that he can’t swim at all! But it’s all good, they wore life-jackets! I can’t wait to hear from them directly what it was like to jump into the icy December HK water. You can also click here to see some of it.

The day’s actions were very successful and non-violent. Everywhere the people and media are clamoring/expecting for the Korean farmers to “do something”. Even before their arrival the media had painted them as 'violent' and 'instigators'. The Korean farmers are pretty upset! The KCTU [Korean Confederation of Trade Unions--the unions that are independent of the government] contingent did clash with the police and some were hospitalized.

The KEEP participants are taking on a more significant role than planned. This first day KEEP requested to stay together with one group of farmers but starting tomorrow they will be separated by teams to different Jun-nong contingents to provide translation. Mamakim asked me to say that EVERYONE is doing well and adrenaline is on full-pump mode!

They moved lodging so internet is scarce but will keep on writing and will post whenever possible.

99.5 FM WBAI Interview w/Yul-san & Korean Farmer

2005-12-14T11:33:00.000+08:00

The entire Asia Pacific Forum program can be heard by clicking here . Our part of the interview begins around 23 minutes into the playback...but the first 23 minutes is pretty kool too!

'See' what's going down in WTO-Hong Kong!

2005-12-14T10:26:00.000+08:00

http://www.gomediaction.net/

Three Hundred Korean Peasants Swim Across Hong Kong Bay - Shouting "Down Down WTO!"

2005-12-14T10:21:00.000+08:00

For Immediate Release

December 13, 2005

Contact - Hyun Lee, 347 242 6801 or 718-335-0419

Three Hundred Korean Peasants Swim Across Hong Kong Bay - Shouting "Down Down WTO!"

As trade ministers from around the globe gathered at the sixth WTO ministerial, which opened on December 13^th at the Wanchai Convention Center in Hong Kong, three hundred Korean peasants swam across Hong Kong Bay to reach the convention center, blocked off to protesters by heavily armed police barricades.

Yulsan Liem, a New York City-based artist and activist who joined the action with the peasants, reported from Hong Kong, "The Korean peasants are 1500 strong in Hong Kong and we are here to say, 'WTO kills farmers!' We are joined by protesters from all over the global south, and the world is saying NO! to the WTO and U.S.-led neoliberalism!"

Since its inception in 1995, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been imposing trade liberalization around the globe, and its neoliberal policies on agriculture have been met with resistance from peasants in developing nations. Agriculture will be among the major contentious issues for negotiation at the ministerial.

After ten years of implementation of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, the number of peasants in south Korea has drastically shrunk from six million to three million. Many peasants, unable to remain competitive with the introduction of U.S. rice - produced with U.S. government subsidies and sold at low cost in developing nations through the controversial practice of "dumping" - have lost their land and livelihood, and are forced to migrate to cities or abroad in search of work.

Leading up to the Hong Kong ministerial, peasants in

Korea

mounted a nationwide campaign to protest the South Korean national assembly's recent decision to open further its rice market to

U.S.

imports. Rice is a staple in Korean diet and 75% of Korean farmers produce rice. Liberalization of its rice market would cripple the nation's food self-sufficiency by destroying the local agricultural industry.

Ten U.S.-based Korean activists - part of Korea Exposure and Education Program (www.keep.org) - are in Hong Kong this week to provide English-Korean translation for the Korean Peasants League, and are reporting daily on their activities on the ground. The KEEP delegation consists of workers, mothers, artists, scholars, and journalists.

KEEP coordinator Hyunsook Kim said, "Korea was a farming country with rich soil, and the ruling elites want to pave over every last inch of soil and dirt with concrete and cement," and added, " Small farmers everywhere are getting crushed by Cargill and ConAgra!"

The Korean Peasants League and KEEP say they will fight the WTO as long as its neoliberal policies continue to ruin the environment and threaten local subsistence economies around the world.

Press Coverage-Los Angeles-

2005-12-12T11:28:00.001+08:00

Radio Korea
12/7/05

“LA 한인 12명 세계무역기구 회의에 참가 ” [엥커멘트]
오는 13일 홍콩에서 열리는WTO 즉 세계무역기구 각료 회의에남가주 한인들도 참가할 예정입니다이들 한인들은홍콩에서 한국에서 온 농민들과 함께신진국들의 농업 개방요구를 반대하는 입장을 표명할 예정입니다유미영 기자의 보도합니다. [리포팅]
남가주 한인 노동상담소 박영준 소장 등 LA 한인 12명도 오는 13일 홍콩에서 열리는 WTO 즉 세계무역기구 각료회의에 참가합니다. 세계무역기구에 참가하는 한인에는 조국 체험 교육프로그램 관계자와 한인 대학생 등 모두 12명입니다.이번 세계무역기구 각료 회의에는 1500 여명의 한국 농민들도 참여해 농업 개방 반대 시위를 벌일 예정입니다 이번 대회에 참가하는 LA한인들은 세계무역기구의 자유 무역에는 찬성하지만선진국들이 요구하는 시장 개방 정책에는결코 찬성할 수 없다고 주장했습니다(녹취 1)
이들 한인들은 선진국들의 다국적 기업들은농업과 농산물의 세계 시장 장악해 한국 같은 농업 중진국들의 시장은 붕괴될 위기에 처해 있다고 강조했습니다(녹취 1)
LA 한인들은 또회의 기간동안 한국 농민들과 함께 선진국들의 농업개방 반대 시위와 집회에도 참가할 예정입니다.
라디오 코리아 뉴스 유미영입니다.

Press Coverage-Los Angeles-Korea Times

2005-12-12T11:23:00.000+08:00

KOREA TIMES - LOS ANGELES

남가주 진보단체-한국농민 ‘반세계화 연대’ “홍콩 WTO각료회의 무산 총력”

입력시간 : 2005-12-07

▲ WTO 6차 각료회의가 열리는 홍콩에서 반세계화 시위를 펼칠 한인 진보단체 관계자들이 남가주 한인노동상담소에서 참가 취지를 설명하고 있다.
남가주 한인노동상담소(KIWA) 등 미주 지역 한인 진보 단체들이 WTO 6차 각료회의가 열리는 홍콩에서 한국 농민들과 함께 세계화에 대한 반대의 목소리를 높인다.6일 남가주 한인노동상담소와 조국체험 교육프로그램(KEEP) 관계자들은 7일부터 19일까지 홍콩에서 미주 한인 14명이 반세계화 운동에 동참, 한국의 쌀 시장 개방 등을 요구하는 WTO 각료회의의 무산을 위해 총력을 다할 것이라고 밝혔다.KEEP의 김현숙씨는 “지난 여름 한국의 전국 농민회 관계자와 접촉을 갖고 WTO 각료회의시 한국 농민들의 통역 등을 맡기로 결정했다”며 처음으로 WTO각료회의와 함께 개최되는 반세계화 운동에 참여하게 된 배경을 설명했다.미주 지역 한인 진보 단체들은 홍콩에 체류하며 한국 농민과 전세계 반세계화 단체의 다리 역할을 담당하며 반세계화 국제연대의 한 축을 담당하게 된다. 이들은 WTO 각료회의에 발맞춰 이에 대한 반대 집회와 함께 아시안 민중 결의대회, WTO 주제 토론회 등을 갖게 된다.KIWA의 박영준 소장은 “국경을 초월해 대기업의 이익만 충족시키는 WTO 체제는 미국의 한인 등 이민자의 삶에도 큰 영향을 끼치고 있다”고 비판하며 “미국의 소농들이 무너진 사례가 한국의 농민들에게 발생해서는 안 된다”고 주장했다.이번 WTO 각료회의에서는 ▲농업 협정 ▲각국의 농산물에 대한 정부 보조금 삭감 ▲서비스 협정 ▲비농산물 시장협정 ▲지적 관리 재산권 협정 등에 대한 논의를 펼치게 된다. 특히 선진국에서 요구하고 있는 인적 자본의 아웃소싱이 이뤄질 경우 후진국의 저임금과 약한 노동법 규제 등으로 인해 상대적으로 고임금을 받는 이민자들의 입지는 더욱 약해질 전망이다.WTO 각료회의 반세계화 운동에 참가하는 LA의 한인은 KIWA의 박영준 소장, KEEP의 김현숙, MIWON의 선우성민, UCLA 법대생 정미경씨며 이들은 미 동·서부에서 파견되는 KEEP의 한인 10명과 홍콩에서 만나게 된다. <이석호 기자>

투쟁의 거리에서

2005-12-11T22:20:00.001+08:00

WTO 투쟁소식을 기다리시고 계시는 동지여러분께,

눈부시게 활짝개인 날
일요일 아침에도 여전히 북적거리는 홍콩의 거리에서
기대반, 긴장반으로, 첫번째 투쟁을 나섰습니다.

오후 2 시 빅토리아 공원
평소보다 많아진 경찰과 전세계에서 몰려든 WTO 반대 투쟁단 그리고 구경나온 홍콩의 관광객들, 주민들, 일요일에 놀러나온 가족들, 쇼핑나온 인파들틈에서 우리는 어렵지 않게 한국에서 온 노동자 대표들을 볼 수 있었습니다. 아시아에서 일하는 민중들이 손에손에 깃발을 들고 나타나기 시작합니다. 하나하나 정성들여 준비한 투쟁구호, 깃발, 풍선, 언뜻 보면 무슨 페스티발을 연상하게 합니다. 세계 각지에서 몰려든 이 투쟁단들, 인종, 이슈, 국적, 쓰는 말은 달랐지만 "down down WTO" "WTO 박살내자" 로 뭉쳐서 오늘의 첫번째 집회를 무사히 끝냈습니다.

치열한 농민투쟁을 생각하며 우리대원들이 개사한 농민가 입니다.
곡조를 아시는 분 한번 같이 불러 볼까요?
[농민가 2005 년: 홍콩]

참여정부 WTO 에 농민을 팔아넘기고
폭력과 거짓선전에 나라가 울던 날~
온세계 농민 노동자 떨쳐 일어나
투쟁의 대오로 WTO 박살내자

안돼 안돼 쌀개방 안돼
절대로 못 내놔
차라리 태워버릴래 우리네 목숨 같은 쌀
미국놈 뱃속채우는 자본의 논리
두고 봐 ! WTO ! 홍콩에서 끝장낼꺼야 !

day two and possibility

2005-12-11T09:45:00.000+08:00

day two (or is it three?). it's both surreal, and more hyper real for me, here, in this city that seems to sleep less than new york. right now it seems like business as usual, crazy crowded streets of people who seem to know where they're going minus the tourists (unless they are protestors in disguise). except the increasingly large police presence, in the streets, the park,the papers...

what do I want to say? we aren't there yet - in the middle of this potentially great thing. there are moments when the not knowing and the thought of what might not happen makes me feel kinda small, retreat inside myself, but once there i find incredible anger, energy and compassion. in this particualar historical and political moment we have a chance to strike a blow at the the u.s. imperialist/neolibral machine.

of course, as strong as this possible gain for the world's people might be, the wto is only one intersection of countless threads in the monumentall net that is today's current political economy. the more I learn - aoa,trims,trips, nama, gats - and how the whole thing works in consort with tncs, the IMF, world bank and the whole u.s. agenda - the more I am enraged.

and the more i am inspired to devote my individual energy to that of our group, which will in turn add its energy to the KPL, which will add its to the larger korean delegation which will add its to the whole body of protest; to our ultimate goal not to call for reform within the system, but to strike from a place radically outside , disrupt its operation, shut it down.

that's it for now.

ps my love and thanks to the folks in the bay who just put out the book Towards Land Work and Power for clarifying a framework with which to view the world for me. also to family members, east and west, old and new, related by blood and/or our shared struggle, for making me study and sharing in revolutionary dialogue and compassion.

2005-12-10T22:45:00.000+08:00

arrived in Hong Kong... it seems like the contradictions of the hyper-urbanized Asian cities is more extreme here than I remebered from Seoul. Buildings seem to be both older and newer, and the air is the worst of any city I remember. yet when I was walking through the city streets, on Sat. night after two hours of jet-lagged sleep, the neon lights that gave the cityits life also gave me energy and a second wind. Right until i got to my rest...

sothatis the contradiction that is urban development- cities are more economically and environmentally viable than suburbs, but we don't make them. My relationship to food is also shaped by my upbringing in an urban poor community in Seoul, another hyper-urbanized Asian city. Food is harder to grow in the city, and the food we consume becomes that more removed from us, for me this meant that i didn't like eating anything that wasn't processed. After a while this diet becomes a part of you, like bleached hair and english becomes a part of your culture.

So how does this relate to anything? the process of urbanization has been tilted so unevenly. On one hand is producing for need, and another for economic expansion, and for excessive consumption. The result of this is what we see in seoul and hong kong. So what'sup?

quickly, because ppl haven't heeded my call to write about the practice of dumping-

Developed nations subsidzie their agriculture, and enable its agricutlre giants to sell crops at below market, or as a nation gives its crops as food aid. This destroys the local agriculture, at which point it becomes dependent on the developed nations' big agriculture for food. at their mercy.

gotta go gotta go more pies to break up...

on the ground

2005-12-09T18:06:00.000+08:00

i will write this narrative and prose style, my usual m.o.

so the first of our delegates arrived late last night. it was roughest for the l.a. folks, as they had 3 legs to contend with. i joined them in on their second leg, from san francisco. i will let them tell their tale of being herded like cattle themselves...

the flight sucked ass. the seating was completely inadequate, even for small ass me. it's no wonder united air went bankrupt. just bad, all around. the good part of the trip to japan was that our flight got in an hour or so early, so we had a bit of reprieve from the crappy airplane. we then met up with someone from new york in narita airport, and had hot dogs and other interesting japanese treats. on our final leg, we also met up with a few folks from l.a. it was nice to gain strength this way - picking up allies along the way.

subway rides and transfers, and we finally got up to our stop. it was exciting to finally reach hong kong, in all of its hustle and bustle. indeed, it was after midnight and the city was still pulsating. cars honking, people everywhere, double-decker buses and cabs roaring in the night. it felt great to finally reach our destination after 18+ hours of travel. it reminded us of korea - the late-night open food stands (pojangmachangs) and neon-lit stores.

today we got up early, had breakfast and began scoping out the scene with everyone. we trekked to victoria park, and had a security briefing with the hong kong people's alliance. i left early cuz one of our folks was illin'. poor dude. to get sick on the first day. hopefully this will pass by the time we meet the farmers and begin the protest in earnest. while i i'm sitting and writing, other are finalizing some logistical details. we need to prepare signs for the farmers, for us, and the protest. last minute lodging arrangements also need to be clarified. the little details can come bite you on your ass when you least expect it.

i am excited for the rest of our crew to join us. hopefully, we will have ironed out the hairy details be then. however, we will continually be bogged down by the pesky little details. to be continued tomorrow perhaps... i am even more excited to finally meet up with our beloved farmers. i heard the latest numbers of the korean contingent will top 4,000. they are expected to lead the entire protest. i feel so honored and humbled to participate in their movement. we in the u.s. have so much to learn from the koreans and the rest of the world. their struggle is in an utmost critical situation - it's literally do or die. what the hell are they going to do, how are they going to live if they can no longer farm their land? the effects of globalization is a daily reality, as more and more farmers are forced to give up the only way of life they have ever known because of liberalized markets, dumping practices, and the like by the "most developed nations." the south korean puppet government cares only to protect its status as a pseudo-developed nation. they don't give a shit about how these regs affect hundreds of thousands of farmers intheir own country. will the government provide other means of life after they pass these laws and regs supporting neoliberalized markets? hell no. so the farmers push back, demaning to preserve their livelihood. and they have built up a powerful movement to back their shit up. and the world is behind them. i just hope that will be enough.

2005-12-05T23:59:00.000+08:00

Hong Kong is never a place I wanted to go to. It's my nightmare city -- run over with financial service expatriates and the accompanying service sector worker class providing leisure 'needs' and domestic care and all those pesky little tasks of everyday living that a good capitalist should avoid actually doing. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, governed as a special administrative region, independent in many ways in its governance and thus structured, economically, socially, to be COMPLETELY DEPENDENT on global capital speculation.

But mind you, i know a lot of Asian-American college graduates who have worked in financial services, who have passed through this place. People in their 20s, posted for weeks, months, summers-- a weekend? for job duties in Hong Kong. Merrill, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, UBS, Anderson (way back when)-- And they never come back with stories. They don't stay long. Maybe it's because Asian-Americans can't get excited about a city that is so much like Seoul or Tokyo, so much like the other Asian hubs of global capital. What's the uniqueness of the place? 24-hour shopping districts, skyscraper department stores, migrant workers, red-light districts... It doesn't have the military history, the US GI presence, that Seoul has, but I wonder what being a British protectorate for so long does to you.

What are the values that citizens there have? How will they respond to the Korean farmers, who want to reach them on the streets with public education and a sense of what agrarian culture and livelihood means to them? Will they be moved? Will they remember anything or will it only register as a passing form of street entertainment? Will they remember the many ways in which the flows of their day, for five, seven days, were disrupted? Will they remember why?

So we're going to Hong Kong, knit together by this sense of solidarity, and it will be amazing. But when we come back, we have to remember all our peers who long to be hired by the companies that reside and bounce between these global cities, who want to work for the incredibly powerful transnationals that have everything to benefit from unequal trade. Hopefully we will learn how to talk to them (brother, sister, neighbor, friend).

America's World and the WTO

2005-12-03T04:55:00.000+08:00

The problem with the U.S. is the same problem
with the WTO.

bagel, granola with yogurt, fancy preserves

2005-12-02T00:11:00.000+08:00

Because I was late to work, I figured I would share some things...

I was at Asia Society's annual debriefing on APEC. It was the business community folks there, and the frame of discussion is entirely different than what I'm used to. A state dept. official to APEC was there, as well as ppl from APEC's business consortium. A dignitary from Vietnam, site of next year's APEC meetings, were also present, as well as a business professor from Columbia.

The content was what you'd expect from the APEC insiders- APEC is a catalyst for bringing about a new day in Asia! Free and fair trade will alleviate poverty and spread prosperity! etc. And disparaging remarks about the French.

Intellectual Property Rights seem to be one of the major issues on people's minds. This is where Korea shows its status as a global player, and naturally sides with the US. But this still is the biggest contradiction, to me, for the free trade agenada. But I guess that's why they come up with ideas like 'intellectual property.' Hey, how about a group of ppl claiming 'cultural property' and start collecting royalties for appropriation of cultures? Like, McDonald's would have to consult black and latino ppl before they commission someone to do a hip hop jingle. (doesn' that sound horrible? hiphop jingle?)

on a more serious tip, I did learn more about the tension between the EU (meaning, the French) and the US on agriculture. On the issue of subsidies, apprarently, US is willing to make a lot of concessions. (which, I would only assume, would disproportionately affect family farms more so than the Cargills and ConAgras, who will get their tax breaks and what have you elsewhere.) But the EU isn't budging on its subsidies, and this gives more leeway to Korea and Japan, who don't want to liberalize their markets. (obviously, there is a discrepancy b/w 'want' and willingness, in Korea's case.)

Another thing that was glossed over, was the issue of 'dumping' or 'food aid.' Which has serious consequences. I'm hoping someone else could comment on this.

Other things I've noticed:

it's not free trade that's going to save us, it's free and fair trade. There, wasn't that easy? If ppl want fair trade, that's all really the business community has to do, just add the word 'fair' after 'free.' Like R and Jay, we got the best of both worlds.

The vietnamese dignitary speaking the same language, (we ready to grind, just put up the start-up and everyone will get this money) but with a dialect that emphasized 'sustainability' and 'microenterprising.'

that I was having breakfast with someone that had just bought a bank in Korea. Korea First (jaeil)

I really need to step my business/economics game up. I'm barely keeping up...

testing one two, two. with pictures.

2005-11-30T06:40:00.000+08:00

I'm still learning this blog site. not that I have achieved mastery of livejournal. this seems less community-oriented but also seems like it's simple enough to use.

This cartoon represents the courts spitting on a legislation that mandated Korean produced agriculture to be used for school lunches.

umm...

2005-11-29T01:55:00.000+08:00

check one check two, can everyone hear?