A Call to Support the Fight for Global Water Justice

In September of 1999, water rights in Cochabamba, Bolivia were sold to Aguas del Tunari, a subsidiary of the U.S. Bechtel Corporation, under a 40-year contract signed with the Bolivian government. Less than two months after Aguas del Tunari took over operation of the water utility, water rates rose by up to 200%, making water totally inaccessible for most of the city's citizens. Through months of grassroots organizing, a coalition known as "La Coordinadora para la Defensa del Agua y la Vida" (Coalition for the Defense of Water and Life) mobilized massive social resistance and economic shutdowns.

Following violent confrontations with the military, in which one young boy died, the social pressure finally forced the government to cancel the contract in April of 2000. Since then, Cochabamba's water war has helped to connect water activists in Bolivia with other water activists in the rest of the world. In 2003, the Interamerican Water Activist Network, Red VIDA (Vigilancia Interamericana para la Defensa y Derecho al Agua) was born.

Activists and organizers who fight against privatization often carry on their campaigns in isolation, without the awareness that similar struggles are being organized throughout the globe. Red VIDA is linking groups in North, Central and South America, enabling us to share in our efforts related to water issues.

The World Social Forum (WSF) in Belim, Brazil (January 27 to February 1, 2009) represents an incredible opportunity for organizations such as Red VIDA to come together in a decentralized fashion in order to chart an effective path forward. The WSF is focused on the networking of individuals and groups representing a myriad of issues, but with the common goal of creating concrete positive actions. Attendees will focus on changing dangerous trends unfolding around the globe under the oppressive tide of neo-liberal economics and State sponsored imperialism.

As multi-national corporations begin to dominate our economic landscape, it is more important than ever to energize our cross border connections with groups and individuals working for global, social and environmental justice. The ability to protect and defend water sources from those who treat it as an owned commodity has been and will be critical for all time.

As a representative in Belim Brazil, Michael Moss will be assisting Oscar Olivera (Bolivian representative for Red VIDA) in the defense of our most precious planetary resource - water. We are asking for your donations to make this work possible. Donations will help cover travel and visa costs for the aforementioned delegates to the World Social Forum as well as logistical support for other organizations fighting for water justice who will also be in attendance. Now is an opportunity to help in the promise of clean water for generations to come. All donations can be made through the Paypal account below.


We thank you for your support,


Marcela Olivera & Michael Moss


For comprehensive information on the Cochabamba Water War please go to:

http://democracyctr.org/bolivia/investigations/water/


For more info go to www.laredvida.org

Or contact to:

Marcela Olivera

Email: moliverafwwatch.org

Tel: +591-4-4504620

Cel: +591-72220216