14 May, 2012Supporters are gearing up for a massive march and rally in Chicago on May 18, 2012 for the Robin Hood tax and against government austerity measures. Registered nurses, labour, community, and Occupy Wall Street activists will gather in a major rally in Chicago to kick off protests on the eve of the G8 and NATO summits.
USA: Led by National Nurses United, the rally is endorsed by more than 100 organizations of labour activists, environmentalists and consumers many of whom are making their way to join Chicago supporters. The rally will feature a skit depicting the search for absent G-8 leaders, who fled their planned meeting in Chicago, and a performance by award-winning artist Tom Morello.
The International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF), the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) and the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation (ITGLWF) endorse demonstrations led by the National Nurses United (NNU) in Chicago calling on leaders to support the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT). With the global financial crisis in 2008, financial insecurity has been felt in many countries. Governments bailed out banks, public deficits increased and austerity measures were taken, as a result creating an even more significant financial stress on communities and people.
Citizens, Grassroots organizations, NGOs and trade unions are now demanding a FTT. The FTT aims to eliminate extreme forms of speculative behaviour which have no social value, and seek better financial sector accountability. The revenues generated by FTT could fund programmes to assist those most affected by the financial crisis, alleviate poverty and fund climate action.