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(All events take place at Grand Circus Park, Woodward at E. Adams, unless otherwise noted.)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB7fshPvt9M
Updated 06/06/09
Four Days of Active Resistance, Political Discussion and Strategizing for a
“People's Stimulus Plans” and an “Economic Bill of Rights”
for Working People and the Poor
JOIN the TENT CITY near the NATIONAL BIG-BUSINESS GATHERING at the Renaissance Center
NATIONAL People’s summit and tent city – DETROIT
On June 15-17, 2009, the National Business Summit, sponsored by the Detroit Economic Club, will take place at the Renaissance Center, General Motors Corporate Headquarters. Millionaire capitalists like the heads of Conoco-Phillips, Dow Chemical, General Motors, Chrysler, Humana Inc., Ascension Health, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, BNSF Railway Co., and PVS Chemicals, and well as the presidents of the National Council on Competitiveness and U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will gather at this summit. President Barack Obama and cabinet members have been invited.
These wealthy businesspeople will put their greedy heads together to discuss “innovation and policy ideas in technology, energy, environment and manufacturing.” In other words, they will be strategizing on how to further increase their profits at the expense of the ever-shrinking middle class, the vast working class and the growing millions living in utter poverty.
The National Business Summit will be held in a city with record-high unemployment and poverty rates, lay-offs, budget cuts, school closings, utility cost hikes and shut-offs and massive home foreclosures. With a registration fee of $1,495, it is unlikely that any victims of foreclosures and evictions, let alone laid-off workers, will be able to attend the National Business Summit. No one at this event will be speaking in the interests of those most affected by the economic collapse.
The People’s Summit will be a dynamic event. During the People’s Summit, organizers will implement a moratorium on foreclosure evictions by going into the neighborhoods and supporting homeowners who are willing to confront the bailiffs. If there is a strike, demonstration or sit in, the People’s Summit will join it. The People’s Summit will confront the big-business CEOs and politicians gathering next door. Join us!
Sunday, June 14
Opening Theme: We declare a State of Emergency! Fight back! No business as usual!
12:00 noon – Set-up of Tent City and People’s Summit begins
2:00-4:00 p.m. – Pride and Devastation Tour of Detroit
1:30-3:00 p.m. – Special session: 2004 Opel/GM Strike in Bochum, Germany
3:00 p.m. – Prayer march organized by Joan Gist for City Council
3:00-5:00 p.m. – Special sessions: 1-FIST/Youth Struggle; 2-Immigrant Rights Struggle
5:30 p.m. – Dinner
6:30-8:00 p.m. – State of Emergency Fightback Rally
8:00 p.m. – Concert and cultural program
Monday, June 15
Theme: Detroit’s crisis as a symbol of the country and the planet
8:30 a.m.– “Know Your Rights” leaflet distribution for homeowners and renters at 36th District Court
10:00 a.m.-12 noon: Special session: Organizing for Sept. 24-25 G20 protests in Pittsburgh and 2010 U.S. Social Forum in Detroit
12:30-1:30 p.m. – 36th District Court Street Rally for Moratorium to Stop Foreclosures & Evictions
1:30-3:30 p.m. – Corporate/Banker Devastation Tour of Detroit
1:30-3:30 p.m. – Special sessions: 1- Education crisis; 2- Fighting Foreclosures
4:00 p.m. – Mass March to Confront the CEOs – Gather at Grand Circus Park
4:30 p.m. – March begins down Woodward to GM Renaissance Center
5:00-6:00 p.m. – Demonstration at GM headquarters/site of big-business summit
6:30 p.m. – Dinner
7:30 p.m. – Youth Concert and Rally to Stop the “War on Drugs” and Police Brutality
Tuesday, June 16
Theme: Stop the war on the workers and poor – feed the people not the Pentagon!
10:00 a.m. – Disability Rights Demonstration at Detroit People Mover, Grand Circus Park Station
12:00-1:30 p.m. – Mass Demonstration and Rally for Jobs at GM Renaissance Center
3:00-5:00 p.m. – Special Session: Workers Fighting Back Against Layoffs, Plant Closings & More
5:30 p.m. – Dinner
6:30 p.m. – Rally to Stop the War at Home and Abroad and Cultural Program
Wednesday, June 17
Theme: Confronting the corporate agenda: human rights for all
10:00 a.m.-12 noon – Special Strategy Session to Carry Struggles Forward
12:00 p.m. – Take down begins
THROUGHOUT THE PEOPLE’S SUMMIT & TENT CITY: ●Videotaped testimony and people’s speak-outs on how the crisis affects you ●Discussions and submissions for the People’s Stimulus Plan and Economic Bill of Rights
RAISE YOUR VOICES TO DEMAND:
* Bailout the people!
* Jobs, healthcare, housing and education for all
* Moratorium on foreclosures, evictions and utility shutoffs – housing is a right
* Stop budget cuts and restore social services funding
* Stop tuition hikes and school closings
* Moratorium on layoffs, plant closings, pension thefts and union busting – A job at a living wage is a right
* End racism, sexism and anti-LGBT attacks – equality now!
* Stop attacks on immigrants
* Full rights for disabled people
* Bailout youth and students
* No more police brutality
* Jobs not Jails - For prisoners and ex-prisoners' rights
* Save the natural environment and stop climate change
* U.S. troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan
* Money for jobs and human needs, not war
* And more – bring your own demands!
