OCCUPY BELLINGHAM is working the the Washington Fair Trade Coalition to fight for FAIR TRADE over “FREE” TRADE. Like the TPP fight we won after 3 years of struggle. Five activists from Whatcom County traveled to Mt. Vernon to meet with Suzan DelBene to speak to her about how “Free” trade, thus NAFTA is not good for the people or the planet. We especially wanted to voice our concerns over the ISDS chapter as we believe conflicts about trade and between nations ought to be handled within the legal systems of the country claiming a harm. As it stands, with the ISDS, these complaints are handled by a tribunal composed of three corporate lawyers. 20 years on there is plenty about NAFTA that has been harmful, but not to the corporations. Mostly to the people in Canada, Mexico and the US. And of course, as always with “free” trade, to the planet. Washington State is currently being threatened with a NAFTA lawsuit by Cooke Aquaculture over the closure of the Atlantic Salmon farm pens. Following are two segments – one an article by Lori Wallach spokesperson for FAIR TRADE.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/lori-wallach/nafta-at-20-one-million-u_b_4550207.html
The following is a segment showing some difference between Canada’s and our dairy system. As often is the case we here in the US are very keen on the “production of endless more”.
And finally OCCUPY was on the street Friday with our light projection GURU Debbie, our TRADE GURU Dianne, and our photo expert Jude. Shining a light on the subject! It was a lovely evening,
