The Peoples’ Global Campaign (PGC) against IMF-WBG, together with the Thai People’s Movement (TPM) against IMF-WBG, marked October 12 as the Global Day of Action against the two Bretton Woods institutions. The day opened with a press conference featuring speakers from across the world, all wearing eye masks painted black and emblazoned with the PGC’s colors. Across every mask, the message was unmistakable: JUNK IMF-WB.
“Today marks the start of the Annual Meetings of the IMF-WB, and for the next several days, behind closed doors, they will be deliberating on the next major neoliberal scheme as the world economy plummets into further crisis and the people slip into further destitution,” stated Tanya, spokesperson from the PGC.
Following Tanya was Emily from the PGC and the International Migrants Alliance (IMA), who gave attention to IMF-WBG policies on migrants: “Under the slogan ‘migration for development,’ the World Bank positions labor migration as a tool to address the issue of labor shortages due to aging population in developed countries, ensuring that businesses do not have to lose profit.”
From an African perspective, Celestine AkpoBari, from International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL) stated “Indigenous Peoples are among those most affected by these traps, loan conditionalities, and other forms of deceit. Our lands, forests, and waters are first to be targeted for plunder, while we face displacement, criminalization, and killings.”
The press conference concluded with two speakers from Thailand. Surapohn Songrak of the Southern Peasant Federation of Thailand spoke on the impact of IMF-WBG policies on farmers and rural communities, followed by Srai, who explained why Thai youth oppose the two institutions. Their warm exchange reflected the bond between two generations of campaigners united in the struggle for peoples’ rights against policies that have harmed communities across Thailand.
The Global Day of Action also marks a high point in the Festival of Resistance against the IMF-WBG, which began in Bangkok on October 9 and will continue through October 15. Campaigners and participants from across the world will continue to gather throughout the festival, bringing their struggles together in a collective call to junk the IMF-WBG.
The Peoples’ Global Campaign Against the IMF and World Bank has led a massive campaign composed of more than 300 organizations and individuals, peoples’ organizations supported by civil society organizations, along with 12 scores of organizations affirming the 8 reasons why we junk the IMF and World Bank. Many of these organizations have assembled in Bangkok to show their resistance and express solidarity across borders against a common people’s enemy, the IMF and World Bank.