URGENT: JOIN THE WEEK OF ACTION OCT 29TH- NOV 3RD AGAINST DESTRUCTIVE NEW NAFTA-STYLE “FREE” TRADE AGREEMENTS!
Peru, Colombia, Panama, & South Korea "free" trade agreements are being pushed hard by the Bush Administration.
Peru is first: It's out of committee and on the House floor. It is anticipated that it will come to a vote on November 7, 2007. The Peru FTA is bad enough on its own, but if it passes with a big margin, then it will be easier for Bush to get the remaining three FTAs passed.
Fair trade set back: House Democratic leaders have struck a deal with Bush to put cosmetic labor and environmental "protections" in these agreements that are vague and unenforceable. Most Republicans and some (pro - "free trade") Democrats will be voting for it. Sadly, many who opposed CAFTA are now hiding behind the cosmetic changes in the Peru FTA, ignoring the fact that the Peru FTA contains many of the same NAFTA/CAFTA problems.
Who is against the Peru FTA?
Four million Peruvian farmers and workers went on a two-day general strike this summer to protest their President's betrayal of his campaign promise to oppose this agreement!
- In addition, the two largest labor union federations in Peru have written letters to U.S. legislators urging a "No" vote on the trade pact:
- Afro-Peruvian and Afro-Colombian organizations sent a comprehensive letter to the US Congress with similar concerns:
- Many U.S. national and local unions have also taken a stand against the Peru FTA. Some examples include letters to legislators from the Change to Win federation and the International Association of Machinists
- The Interfaith Working Group on Trade and Investment, representing the major ecumenical denominations, has issued a strong position against the FTA.
- The National Latino Congreso - a gathering of 10 major Latino civil rights and advocacy organizations - passed a unanimous resolution in opposition to the Peru FTA.
- Major environmental groups working to protect the Peruvian Amazon, including AmazonWatch, Rainforest Action Network and Greenpeace have urged the U.S. Congress to vote NO .
- Democratic voters and now many Republican voters agree that these trade agreements are bad for us.
WEEK OF ACTION: OCTOBER 29 THRU NOVEMBER 2
Don't wait. We have already begun the fight!
Local actions will be held in cities and towns across the US.
Jump aboard with these or other plans:
1. Call the DC office of your Member of Congress. Ask to speak to the Legislative Aide who deals with trade issues. If you get voicemail, leave a message and ask for a call back. Talking points and more information provided at these links:
2. Collect postcards opposing the FTA and deliver them to district Congressional offices; Here is a sample postcard. (Please note: Postal Mail sent to US Capital offices is too delayed to be useful for this upcoming week of action.)
3. Pass resolutions opposing the Peru FTA and encourage other groups in your area-- such as local labor unions, Democratic Clubs, Community organizations-- to pass similar resolutions. Deliver the resolutions to your Member of Congress' district office (or email/fax them to the DC office). Here is a sample resolution.
4. Host press conferences, street theater or rallies in front of Congressional district offices. Hold large signs reading, "Honk if you hate sweatshops," or "Honk if you love fair wages" outside legislators' offices; hand out flyers. Here is a sample flyer.
5. Write Letters to the Editor in your local papers opposing the Peru FTA. A guide to writing Letters to the Editor.
6. Conduct delegations to your legislator's offices. (see item #1 above). If you have a particularly entrenched Member of Congress, you might consider a creative action in that legislator's office. You can read a description of how to plan such an action.
Will your group pledge to participate in this call to action to STOP the Peru FTA?
Will your group pledge to work to stop the other 3 pending FTA's (Panama, Colombia and S. Korea)?
If you answer yes to either of these questions, or if your group would like to be an endorser of this Call to Action- add your group to the growing list of people who have decided that it is time to act- by sending an email to Tom Loudon at: art-list@quixote.org
This Call to Action has been endorsed by the following organizations (list in formation):