BOLIVIANS STILL FIGHTING
Trouble is brewing in Bolivia as the President tries to sell off precious natural gas to the US. Trade Unions say this is another example of a rich country plundering their resources with no care for their long term future. They are also against the Free Trade Area of the Americas, a scheme that will give more power to big western companies and force poor countries to put more of their natural resources and public services on sale. So far the president has not listened and indigenous people, peasants, the Socialist Party and others have joined together to strike, protest and block roads.

McDEMOS
Thursday October 16th 2003 will be the 19th annual Worldwide Anti-McDonald’s Day [UN World Food Day] - a protest against the promotion of junk food, the unethical targeting of children, exploitation of workers, animal cruelty, damage to the environment and the global domination of corporations over our lives. Many thousands of McDonalds staff around the world are expected to take strike action, joining their colleagues at the St. Denis branch is Paris, which has been occupied by its workers for over six months. The strikers are demanding the right to unionise, a 10% raise and overtime pay. The strikers say they hope to provide an example to other low-paid workers around the world. Join the McDonalds Workers’ Resistance at http://mwr.org.uk or go to www.mcspotlight.org for news on anti-McDonalds action.
Meanwhile… scientists have discovered that high doses of fat and sugar in fast and processed foods can be as addictive as hard drugs. The research found that these foods can cause significant changes in the brain and once hooked, many people find it almost impossible to switch back to a healthy diet.

IRISH FIGHT THE BIN TAX
Ten people have been jailed in Dublin for protesting against the new bin tax, but resistance is still strong. Described as ‘an unjust form of double taxation’ which benefits business and industry, it has caused angry but peaceful demonstrations. A Working Class Action spokesman said “It is clear that there is no ‘right to protest’ in this country. When such activity proves effective the courts immediately lock up ordinary people, including a young breastfeeding mother.” Meanwhile, some have welcomed the tax as an incentive to recycle.