What is curious about the many Oct. 12 protests is their decentralized nature. Many groups from distinct geographic regions have chosen the day to protest around a wide variety of issues including immigrant rights, corporate globalization plans like PPP or the FTAA, nuclear testing and indigenous rights in the US. All of these struggles share a common human desire for freedom from corporate control. These issues also invite us to join the search for alternatives spaces and ways of life that respect the earth, indigenous communities and all humanity.

No matter the issue, there is no question that indigenous and marginalized peoples have consistently filled, and continue to fill the pockets of the rich with their lands, sweat, blood and know-how.

In October 1992 many indigenous and non-indigenous grassroots groups stood together to celebrate the 500-anniversary of indigenous resistance in the Americas. Today, in 2002, we stand together once more to say, in the context of "neo-liberal" investment schemes and corporate power-brokering, "WE ARE STILL HERE. AND WE STILL RESIST." The schemes have changed, but the meaning is the same: destruction of our communities and the earth that sustains them for the benefit of an elite few.

The following is a calendar of the Continent-wide and US-wide initiatives. All actions listed are for October 12 unless otherwise noted. If you know of an O12 event that is not listed here, please send a short descriptive paragraph and we'll add it.

Look for a listing of all actions at: www.mexicosolidarity.org/O_12.html

---------------------------------
International Actions:

Mobilizing Against Plan Puebla Panama --Indigenous and Campesino groups from across Central America and southern Mexico have called for massive mobilizations throughout the region on Oct. 12. The protests target Vicente Fox's Plan Puebla Panama. Although the specific actions will vary based on local issues and organizations, look for indigenous-led road blocks, and occupations of key sites of corporate plunder (re: dams, forests, etc.). The call for these actions emerged from a meeting in Managua, Nicaragua on June 16-18, 2002 whereby more than 1000 indigenous and campesinos representing over 350 organizations met.

Go to: http://www.mesoamericaresiste.org/primeras/segundas/proximoseventosrc.html

Grito de los Excluidos BRAZIL/CONTINENTAL This October 12th The 'Grito dos Excluidos/as' (The Cry of the Excluded), will be mobilizing throughout the Americas as part of a day of action against the Free Trade Area of the Americas in the context of the continental campaign to stop the FTAA. http://gritodosexcluidos.com.br/index2.html

ARGENTINA Other activities this October 12th include mobilizations in Argentina by the COPA, Coordinacion de Organizaciones Populares Autonomas (Coordination of Autonomous Popular Organizations). The COPA includes the Argentine landless movement, groups of unemployed, small farmers, students, and others. Actions will be occurring around the theme of access to land and food sovereignty (these may include land occupations and other types of actions) website: http://ar.geocities.com/copa_nacional

BORDER MOBILIZATION Building Power Without Borders – In the Spirit of Our People The Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (SNEEJ) and its affiliate organizations and allies, united under the common call for social, racial, environmental and economic justice, call upon all allies to come together in solidarity on Saturday, October 12, 2002 for a Southwest Network US/Mexico Border Mobilization in 4 border cities. (520) 770-1373 or e-mail coalicion@derechoshumanosaz.net.

The Latin American Soldiarity Coalition (LASC) and American Indian Movement (AIM)--a coalition of US based groups working for ecological and economic justice with indigenous and non-indigenous people throughout the Americas calls for solidarity actions to oppose what they consider "the second colonization" of the Americas. They have a solid list of eight simple demands. Contact: LASC@afgj.org or 202-544-9355 Website: http://www.lasolidarity.org/

----------------------------------
National Actions within the US

Nevada Test Site/Western Shoshone Nation Resist! Action for Nuclear Abolition Nonviolent Direct Action Camp October 11th - 14th Action for Nuclear Abolition Nonviolent Direct Action Camp Join with others and enjoy the beautiful Great Basin Desert. Oct 12th - World Indigenous Day - Ceremonies, sweatlodges and events to honor and stand in solidarity with Indigenous People of the world who have suffered the deadly consequences under the worldwide abuse of nuclear colonialism. Sunset candle light procession to the gates of the Nevada Test Site. Please join us as we take a stand for indigeous people rights everywhere. http://www.shundahai.org/indigenous_fall2k2_flyer.pdf

Denver Transform Columbus Day (TCD) Columbus Day began in Colorado and according to TCD organizers, it will END in Colorado. TCD is a diverse local coalition of labor, youth, religious and community folks that have joined to oppose the Colombus Day celebration as well as other important issues such as police brutality and indigenous rights and sovereignty. Website: http://www.transformcolumbusday.org/ Contact: 303-312-1823 or info@transformcolumbusday.org

San Francisco IMMIGRANT PRIDE DAY MISSION AND 24TH STREET, 10am - 5pm JOIN US IN DEFENDING IMMIGRANTS FOR A GENERAL, IMMEDIATE AMNESTY FOR ALL UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS Solidarity with the people of the world under attack and with the immigrants at home under siege by the Patriot Act and other reactionary legislation. Defending our rights in the workplace and in the communities. Contact: 415.452.9992 (Carlos) or 415.229.0531 (Berta)

Chicago Celebration of 510 years of Indigenous Resistance! Gather in Pilsen at 18th and Blue Island, 3pm. Chicago groups plan a public celebration of indigenous and campesino resistance in Pilsen, a primarily Mexican-American neighorhood. The celebration will transform into a street procession sauntering to a nearby community center where a night full of music, speakers, and frolic. contact: msn@mexicosolidarity.org or 773-583-7728.

List of Other Events around the US go to: http://www.lasolidarity.org/LocalActions.html