This statement was written in advance of today’s global day of occupations. It has already been signed by a number of the people’s assembies at various of the occupations, and may be supported by more throughout the day. It was written Ana Sofia Suarez and Shimri Zameret.

On 15 October 2011, united in our diversity, united for global change, we demand global democracy: global governance by the people, for the people. Inspired by our sisters and brothers in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Bahrain, New York, Palestine-Israel, Spain and Greece, we too call for a regime change: a global regime change.

In the words of Vandana Shiva, the Indian activist, today we demand replacing the G8 with the whole of humanity – the G7,000,000,000.

Undemocratic international institutions are our global Mubarak, our global Assad, our global Gaddafi. These include: the IMF, the WTO, global markets, multinational banks, the G8/G20, the European Central Bank and the UN security council. Like Mubarak and Assad, these institutions must not be allowed to run people’s lives without their consent. We are all born equal, rich or poor, woman or man. Every African and Asian is equal to every European and American. Our global institutions must reflect this, or be overturned.

Today, more than ever before, global forces shape people’s lives. Our jobs, health, housing, education and pensions are controlled by global banks, markets, tax-havens, corporations and financial crises. Our environment is being destroyed by pollution in other continents. Our safety is determined by international wars and international trade in arms, drugs and natural resources. We are losing control over our lives. This must stop. This will stop. The citizens of the world must get control over the decisions that influence them in all levels – from global to local. That is global democracy. That is what we demand today.

Today, like the Mexican Zapatistas, we say “¡Ya basta! Aquí el pueblo manda y el gobierno obedece”: Enough! Here the people command and global institutions obey! Like the Spanish Tomalaplaza we say “Democracia Real Ya”: True global democracy now!” Today we call the citizens of the world: let us globalise Tahrir Square! Let us globalise Puerta del Sol!

Bright Green has been given a ‘preview’ list of some of the signatories to this statement:

ATTAC Spain
ATTAC France
Egality London
Egality Berlin
War on Want – London
Globalise Resistance – London
Italy Uncut
Democracia Real Ya International
Gaia Foundation
General People’s Assembly
Puerta del Sol – Madrid
People’s Assembly London
People’s Assembly Buenos Aires
People’s Assembly Sao Paulo
People’s Assembly Vigo, Spain
People’s Assemblies Network
People’s assembly Boston
Occupy Melbourne
Network Institute for Global Democratization
Noam Chomsky
Naomi Klein
Vandana Shiva
Michael Hardt
Eduardo Galeano