Pacers protest against globalization at the World Economic Forum

On February 2, 12 Pacers, led by the student environmental club The Healthy Independent Natural Knowledge of Environment (THINK Environment) protested against globalization at the World Economic Forum held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

The students joined other demonstrators who objected to sustained economic growth, overpopulation, war and racism, and advocated ethical approaches to business practices and the environment, including labor rights.

The protest began in the morning, as nearly 3,000 police officers kept the demonstrators barricaded on Park Avenue around the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, where 2,700 government and corporate leaders convened. By the end of the day, 36 demonstrators were arrested, though officials said that the protesters were mostly peaceful.

Pacers were very vocal, yet law-abiding, like most demonstrators during the event, although several of them did write an attorney's phone number in the palm of their hand – as a precaution.

"I'm all for peaceful protesting," said Lidiana Rios, freshman, reflecting the feelings of most of the group. "I wouldn't harm people, I wouldn't riot, because it gives a bad impression on the kind of morality and the kind of principles protesters have."

According to THINK's president Vlada Smorgunov, the WEF has "grown into a major global agenda setter and a leading proponent of corporate globalization. Many of these corporations have caused tremendous environmental degradation in various parts of the world; we don't want to see that continue."

One of the posters made by the students stated: "Sustainable growth? 6.2 billion people is not sustainable," alluding to the limited amount of available environmental resources and capacity.

"Sustained growth is among the main objectives of the World Economic Forum," said Smorgunov. "But with a population of 6.2 billion, there is really nowhere to grow, especially to sustain the growth. Profits of major corporations seem to always come ahead of environmental issues or quality of human life. Unless that's changed, globalization won't make matters better. "

Another poster asked, "How would you live on $30 a month? Who are we sacrificing for our standard of living?

"I'm protesting the dichotomy of the few who live extravagantly at the expense of the many who live in poverty," said Rios, originally from Nicaragua. "I have family members who worked in sweat shops, so I have a lot of firsthand experience [in this matter]. I saw what these people are working for, and at what expense."

According to Rios, as Western companies set up businesses in underdeveloped countries, they also cause harm to the environment. The companies, Rios said, destroy the small businesses and the resources in the area and once that's done, the companies leave the area and its inhabitants jobless.

Labor Rights for foreign workers of American companies abroad were addressed with another poster, which simply said, "Labor Rights."

"Because of free trade agreements," said Rios, "companies can maximize their profits by decreasing the wages of workers without any consequences. I think this is unfair. They're just not being moral."

When the organized protest outside the Waldorf-Astoria ended by mid-afternoon, demonstrators tried to march around the hotel, but were prevented by police barricades, according to the International ANSWER Coalition, which helped organize the rally. The thousands of protesters subsequently marched toward Times Square.

Around five o'clock, the members of THINK and other Pacers walked back toward the Waldorf-Astoria, shouting slogans like "WEF – shut it down." They were escorted by 10 police officers on bicycles.

Protests finished by early evening, amid scattered demonstrations.

In general, the New York Police Department was professional and tried to contain the crowd, which periodically cheered against it. Some officers, waiting in vans and dressed in riot gear, even cheered and gestured along with the protesters.

"We just don't want anybody to get hurt," said one officer.

Protesters were hopeful that their efforts were effective.

"Hopefully, [the protests] will at least make people think," said THINK treasurer Holly Thrasher.

"We are realistic and realize that our protest wouldn't have shut down the World Economic Forum," said Smorgunov, "but our main goal was to bring awareness. It will get people thinking; if there are protests, something must be wrong. Hopefully, the protest will get the corporation representatives thinking as well when they discuss their growth."

Dr. Robert Chapman, Director of the Institute of Environmental & Regional Studies, applauded the students' effort.

"I encourage their initiative," Chapman said. "Protesting is an excellent educational experience because it allows students to observe participatory democracy firsthand. The protesters made a case logically and morally, that the type of globalization that only serves developed countries has to stop. Globalization must benefit the developing countries as well, even at the expense of the relatively developed ones.

President Caputo also expressed approval of THINK Environment's protest.

"All issues have more than one side and a University's responsibility is to encourage their discussion," Caputo said.

THINK Environment was started in September, and currently has almost 30 members, according to Smorgunov. It has worked with the Sierra Club and at Prospect Park; the use of recycled paper in the computer lab is also attributed to it.

The club is planning other activities, including an event for Earth Day scheduled for the week of April 22.