by Ilana Solomon
 Despite wintery weather, the Atlantic Chapter's Stephanie Low, standing next to the speaker above, organized a highly successful anti-TPP rally and press conference at NYC's City Hall. |
Across the country, Sierra Club activists have been raising their voices about a “free trade” scheme that would do more environmental harm than help if it’s pushed through the finish line as-is.
From rallies and demonstrations to e-mails and phone calls to their representatives in Congress, these activists are calling for responsible trade, and opposing fast track—an outdated ploy to speed up passage of massive trade deals that have less to do with tariffs and quotas and more to do with our labor, environmental, and consumer safeguards.
If passed, the fast track bill introduced in the House and Senate would strip Congress of its right to improve trade deals, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal and a transatlantic deal with the European Union. From what we know about these trade deals—which isn’t much, since we’re relying on leaked texts and are otherwise locked out of negotiations—they will cater to the whims of the deals’ corporate advisers and will do little to protect the interest and safety of the public.
There are tons of reasons to oppose fast track, and Sierra Club activists aren’t the only ones in the fight. We’re joined by labor unions, proponents of open Internet, other environmentalists, and concerned citizens that have a stake in America’s role in international trade. According to the Wall Street Journal, this effort has engaged nearly 600,000 supporters through online petitions and garnered more than 40,000 phone calls to Congress.
Sierra Club activists sent over 65,000 messages to the halls of Congress to stop fast-track dead in its tracks. You can add your name and share with your networks.
The Atlantic Chapter, led by volunteer Stephanie Low, helped organize an incredibly successful press conference on the steps of City Hall in New York City.
If we want to protect our jobs, our food, our air and water, and our climate, we need to urge Congress to reject fast track.
Ilana Solomon is the Sierra Club’s national director for responsible trade.