The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) continues to face strong opposition both locally and nationally. On the national level, numerous Congresspeople have come out against the agreement, including a coalition of traditionally pro-trade Democrats, while the agreement has reportedly reached a stalemate in the House and Senate. Adding to skepticism regarding CAFTA, Michigan Congressperson Sander Levin released the text of a suppressed Department of Labor report stating that the CAFTA countries do not have laws ensuring basic workers rights. In response to a tour of the United States by presidents of CAFTA countries sponsored by the US Chamber of Commerce and companies who will profit from CAFTA, a national coalition of groups opposed to CAFTA has designated today a national call-in day on CAFTA and folks are strongly encouraged to contact their Representatives and Senators to ask them to vote "no" on CAFTA.
Locally, activists working with the Stop CAFTA Campaign continue to work to get signatures for the petition asking Congressperson Vern Ehlers to vote no on CAFTA. The petition will be presented next week and people who have not signed it yet are strongly encouraged to do so. You can sign the petition online.
Other anti-CAFTA activities are scheduled to coincide with next week's World Trade Week:
- Monday, May 16 - Anti-CAFTA Protest at Invite-Only World Trade Week Gala
- Meet at 4:45pm in the parking lot next to the high way by the Ford Museum, near Pearl. At 5:00pm, the group will move to the Ford Museum where the Gala is being held.
- Tuesday, May 17 - Deliver Petitions to Vern Ehlers
- Tuesday, May 17 - Anti-CAFTA Protest at World Trader of the Year Award Ceremony
- Meet at 4:00pm at the Grand Valley State University DeVos Center campus near the flags for a mock "World Traitor of the Year" award ceremony.
