Lucas,On Wednesday, Congress will vote on the most significant free trade agreements since NAFTA: the Panama, Colombia and Korea Free Trade Agreements.
Even as our country is staggered by 9 percent unemployment, which these deals would make worse, the press has largely shut out this issue.
That's why we're excited to announce a special virtual town hall this Monday, October 10, at 8 p.m. EDT featuring actor and TransAfrica board Chair Danny Glover, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Emanuel Cleaver and others.
Firedoglake will provide a venue for all of us to connect via computer to hear from and interact with celebrated actor Danny Glover, from Lethal Weapon and The Color Purple, who also serves as chair of TransAfrica; Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Representative Emanuel Cleaver; and Professor Joseph Jordan of TransAfrica's Scholars' Council. The call will start out with a short briefing to provide the latest information about the agreements, then the guests will discuss and answer your questions.
RSVP now for one of the limited spots available for our special talk with Danny Glover, Chairman Cleaver and Prof. Jordan on Monday, October 10, at 8 p.m. EDT.
Go to http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/fta-webinar to sign up.
The Korea FTA is the biggest trade deal since NAFTA. Even government studies show it will increase our trade deficit, and it's projected to cost 159,000 U.S. jobs just in its first seven years. Hardest hit would be "jobs of the future" sectors, such as solar, high-speed trains and computer-related manufacturing.
Colombia is the most dangerous place in the world for trade unionists. Since President George W. Bush signed this deal in 2007, the number of unionists assassinated rose to 51 last year -- more than the rest of the world combined. Violence against and forced displacements of Afro-Colombians has intensified since the FTA was signed, and Afro-Colombian communities have led the opposition to the pact in Colombia.
And Panama, with a history of failing to protect workers' rights, is known as a tax haven for money launderers and tax dodgers. The deal with Panama would eliminate the tools we now have to try to collect the desperately needed revenue U.S. tax-dodgers now hide in Panama.
Join this call to learn more and get involved in the final push. This virtual town hall is an excellent opportunity to hear what others are doing to stop these deals and what can be done.
Talk to you on Monday, October 10, at 8 p.m. EDT!
Thanks for all you do,Beatriz Lopez and Brooke Harper
Senior Field Organizers
Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch
P.S. Join the Facebook Fightback! Tell your member of Congress to vote no on all 3 NAFTA-style trade deals!