News

Congressional Leaders Address Progressive Activists at Capitol Hill Rally for Fair Trade

07 May, 2014

For release Wednesday, May 7

CONTACT: Candice Johnson or Chuck Porcari, CWA Communications, 202-434-1168, cjohnson@cwa-union.org and cporcari@cwa-union.org.

More than 1,000 union, public interest, environmental, consumer and good government activists rallied for fair, 21st century trade, then visited every congressional office.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — CWA President Larry Cohen and Congressional leaders working for fair trade, not a one-sided Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal, addressed more than 1,000 activists today at Upper Senate Park on Capitol Hill.

Members of Congress speaking (not in order of appearance) included Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Sander Levin (D-Mich.), Mike Michaud (D-Me.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.).

The TPP, a trade deal among the U.S. and 11 other countries, has been negotiated in secrecy, by and for investors and corporations. It would be a disaster for U.S. workers, consumers and communities, and as currently structured, would allow multinational corporations to challenge the laws passed by elected officials at every level. Fast track authority would permit members of Congress only an up-or-down vote on the deal, with no amendments allowed.

Unions, environmental groups, students, citizens and good government groups, faith leaders and activists and others have joined together in a movement for real change.

###