[Cispes-Alert] Help Stop the Peru Free Trade Agreement

[CISPES National Office]

TAKE ACTION AGAINST DESTRUCTIVE NEW NAFTA-STYLE "FREE" TRADE AGREEMENTS!

The clock is ticking.  On November 6, 2007 Congress will most likely vote
on the Peru free trade agreement.

Please take a moment to call your Representatives and urge them to Vote NO!!

Call the Congressional Switchboard at (202) 224-3121

Ask to speak to the Legislative Aide who deals with trade issues.  If you
get voicemail, leave a message and ask for a call back. Talking points and
more information provided at this link:
 
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/1285/images/ctc_perupanamarevised_08032007
-1.pdf 

More background:  The Peru FTA is bad enough on its own, but if it passes
with a big margin, then it will be easier for Bush to get the remaining
three FTAs passed.

Fair trade set back:  House Democratic leaders have struck a deal with
Bush to put cosmetic labor and environmental "protections" in these
agreements that are vague and unenforceable. Most Republicans and some
(pro - "free trade") Democrats will be voting for it. Sadly, many who
opposed CAFTA are now hiding behind the cosmetic changes in the Peru FTA,
ignoring the fact that the Peru FTA contains many of the same NAFTA/CAFTA
problems.  Who is against the Peru FTA?

- Four million Peruvian farmers and workers went on a two-day general
strike this summer to protest their President's betrayal of his campaign
promise to oppose this agreement!

- In addition, the two largest labor union federations in Peru have
written letters to U.S. legislators urging a "No" vote on the trade pact:
http://www.citizen.org/documents/PeruvianLaborLetter-082007-espanol.pdf 

- Afro-Peruvian and Afro-Colombian organizations sent a comprehensive
letter to the US Congress with similar
concerns: http://www.citizen.org/documents/AfroLatinoLtrtoCongressFINAL.pdf


- Many U.S. national and local unions have also taken a stand against the
Peru FTA. Some examples include letters to legislators from the Change to
Win federation
(http://www.citizenstrade.org/pdf/ctw_PeruRepresentative.pdf)  and the
International Association of Machinists
(http://www.citizenstrade.org/pdf/iam_perupanamastatement_082007.pdf) 

- The Interfaith Working Group on Trade and Investment, representing the
major ecumenical denominations, has issued a strong position against the
FTA. http://www.tradejusticeusa.org/pdf/peru-letter-10-07.pdf 

- The National Latino Congreso - a gathering of 10 major Latino civil
rights and advocacy organizations - passed a unanimous resolution in
opposition to the Peru FTA.
(http://latinocongreso.org/resolutions07approved.php?id=99). 

- Major environmental groups working to protect the Peruvian Amazon,
including AmazonWatch, Rainforest Action Network and Greenpeace have urged
the U.S. Congress to vote NO
(http://www.amazonwatch.org/view_news.php?id=1476). 

- Democratic voters and now many Republican voters agree that these trade
agreements are bad for us.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-paul/stop-the-presses-republi_b_67613.ht
ml 


This Call to Action has been endorsed by the following organizations (list
in formation):

Alliance for Responsible Trade
CISPES
Campaign for Labor Rights
Grassroots Global Justice 
Jobs with Justice (Portland, OR)
NYC People's Referendum on Free Trade
Portland Central America Solidarity Committee
Progressive Democrats of America
Student Trade Justice Campaign
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE)

And others...