For Clarke and Barlow, vestiges of Canadian nationalism and protectionism began to fall by the wayside, replaced by explicitly-stated internationalism. They were front and centre in the protests in Seattle, and have just published Global Showdown, a handbook of the growing global anti-capitalist movement that is brimming with the enthusiasm and optimism that fuels that growing mood. But in Quebec, Clarke and Barlow are in the fore front of the struggle. As I made my way up the narrow streets of the old town toward the fence, I met with Barlow, Clarke, French activist Jos Bov , and a delegation of CoC members. We all stopped to put on our goggles and soak our scarves with vinegar, protection against the gas.
Violence is homeless people dying in the streets of our cities.
She pointed to the district behind the fence where the heads of state were meeting, rightly putting the blame for the violence on them. Linking arms, Barlow and her friends marched toward the clouds of gas, straight into the anti-capitalist struggle.