Friday, January 31st 2014
Noon
Westlake Center
400 Pine St, Seattle
The rally is part of an Inter-Continental Day of Action, in solidarity with our trade justice allies in Mexico, Canada and across the U.S.
Community Alliance for Global Justice grew out of the 1999 Seattle protests against the World Trade Organization, and has continued to oppose the corporate agenda of privileging its power and profits over the rights of labor, the environment, small farmers and consumers. We have had 20 years of NAFTA, with its clear and undeniable effects on jobs, food security, income inequality and environmental protection. CAGJ has worked to expose these injustices and to unite with activists everywhere to build opposition to so-called “trade” pacts.
Now our current crop of corporate-bought politicians are negotiating – in secret, of course – their newest attempt to enhance the rights of investors, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which would make it even harder for nations and communities to make decisions about their food, their climate, their future.
Local allies such as unions and social justice organizations, and international organizations of workers and citizens throughout the TPP area, are mobilizing to make it harder to pass this investor – rights agreement. In particular, for us here in the U.S., we have to make sure the administration’s effort to pass “fast-track” legislation, attempting to bypass any democratic citizen say on the TPP, has to be stopped.
As a start, join us for a noon rally in Westlake Park, next Friday, the 31st. We will go on from there to get fast track halted. And CAGJ will intensify its work among food justice advocates to demonstrate why deals like the TPP stand in the way of reimagining and building a fair and sustainable food system.
What: Press Conference/Action to honor Rep. McDermott’s leadership in pledging to Vote No on fast-track and to call on every member of the WA State delegation to do the same! This is an International Day of Action!
When: Friday, January 31st 12 pm
Where: Westlake Center, 400 Pine St Seattle
Who: Sierra Club, 350.org, Community Alliance for Global Justice, Plant for the Planet, Backbone Campaign, Occupy Bellingham, Spokane Move to Amend, Expose the TPP, the Washington Fair Trade Coalition, Who You Callin’ Illegal & You!
RSVP & help share the word on Facebook here, and by forwarding widely – Thanks!
Please join us to show the Obama Administration and our Congressional Representatives that we demand an open and fair accounting of the TPP before any decision is made. We need a 21st Century trade agreement that protects worker rights and environmental laws.