Editor's Note: Police arrest 14 El Salvador citizens for protesting the privatization of water and label it "terrorism". You can see that the real purpose is to frighten citizens from attempting to protest anything, even something as outrageous as trying to control people's access to water, the most basic requirement for life. We see the same sort of psychological fear campaign being waged in China against the peaceful and benign Falun Gong group, as well as against protestors right here in America. Those well publicized beatings of protestors by riot gear laden police in Seattle at the WTO meeting a few years ago and the recent trumped up, near-zero attendance "rally" of American Nazis in Omaha, Nebraska on Sept 1, 2007 make it clear that we are being transported into the police state version of "democracy'.

However, giving up and capitulating to this coercion is NOT an option if you want to hold on to what's left of your constitutional liberties. Much larger demonstrations have the opposite effect of energizing the people and force the police to retreat. Recall that the CIA had attempted to oust Hugo Chavez in a coup in Venezuela in April of 2002. Chavez was briefly ousted, the National Assembly and Supreme Court were dissolved, and the constitution was repealed, BUT the entire coup fell apart in less than 48 hours because massive throngs of Venezuelan citizens flooded into the streets. The Metropolitan police could not suppress them, try though they might. The Presidential Guards loyal to Chavez took back the palace and the Chavez government was back in business- all without firing a shot. Had the population been cowed into remaining passively in their homes, that coup would have succeeded. A similar turn of events occurred in the Ukraine in 2002-2004. Massive street protests against president Leonid Kuchma -linked to the murder of a popular journalist- eventually led to his fall from power following a rigged election in 2004. A repressive, ultra authoritarian regime was replaced by a government which allowed greater expression of democratic relief. Large and continuing protests bring results and forces tyranny to retreat. Will America learn this vital lesson before it's too late? That's the question to ask. .Ken

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From Indybay
http://educate-yourself.org/cn/elsalvadorfightingwaterprivatization13oct07.shtml
October 13, 2007

People in El Salvador Are Fighting Back Against Water Privatization

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/10/11/18453481.php

October 6-13 is an international week of solidarity to demand that "terrorism" charges against Salvadoran protesters be dropped. On July 2, fourteen people were arrested in Suchitoto, El Salvador for taking part in a protest against water privatization. Police brutality against the peaceful demonstration produced international outrage, and ultimately this pressure forced the Salvadoran government to temporarily release the detainees. Nevertheless, protesters continue to be charged under "anti-terrorism" law and could face up to 60 years in prison. This draconian law criminalizing public protest as acts of terrorism is being used to silence the social movement in El Salvador.

The trial of the Suchitoto protesters was scheduled for the first week of October but has been delayed for six months, allegedly while the prosecutors build their "terrorism" case. More likely, the trial was delayed for lack of evidence, since those arrested were in the streets to voice their opinion against water privatization.

The corporate takeover of the world's water has been called "the greatest theft of common resources facing humanity and the planet today." Global capitalists argue that water scarcity problems will be solved by turning water into an economic good - a commodity to be controlled by global corporations and sold to the highest bidder in international markets. Meanwhile, a broad-based social movement in El Salvador is struggling to keep water accessible and public, improve water conservation and ensure a supply of clean water for all who need it.

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