Witness for Peace

Counter Free Trade Propaganda by Making Your Voice Heard

Washington wants to put a small boost in corporate profits ahead of workers, the poor and the environment by passing three disastrous NAFTA-styled trade deals: with Colombia, South Korea and Panama. Together we can put the brakes on this failed trade model. Follow the simple steps below to send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper(s) and make your voice heard.

Thanks for all you do for justice in our world!

Step 1 - Select a Recipient

Step 2 - Write your message

Subject:

Your Letter:

While all the news out of Washington is about jobs and budget cuts, three nefarious trade deals are winding their way toward passage. The Korea, Colombia and Panama trade agreements would give corporate profits a small boost but would have disastrous impacts on the working class and the environment both at home and abroad.

The pending deal with Colombia is the most problematic, given the country is the world’s leader in labor murders and cocaine production.

Just last year, 51 unionized workers were murdered in Colombia. Passing this trade deal sends the message that these human rights violations are inconsequential.  Witness for Peace's research shows that the agreement will also exacerbate the poverty of Colombia’s small farmers.  Studies suggest that 400,000 farmers will lose their livelihoods, unable to compete with subsidized U.S. grain imports.  Many will likely join the ranks of Colombia’s 5 million internally displaced or turn to coca production—the raw material for cocaine.

Any trade deal that turns a blind eye towards the mass murder of workers and spurs cocaine production should be a non-starter in Washington.

Sincerely,

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