Secret Trade Deal Spawns 'We Will Not Obey' Movement

[marmar]

Secret Trade Deal Spawns 'We Will Not Obey' Movement

Saturday, 21 December 2013 11:38
By Zack Kaldveer, Organic Consumers Association | News Analysis


In his epic book of poetry, Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman advises “Resist Much. Obey Little.” But when it comes to corporations trampling on local rights, the city of Madison, Wis., advises other cities and counties to do what it has done: Resist much. Obey not.

In October, the Madison City Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring the city a “TPP-Free Zone,” and promising that if Congress passes the Trans Pacific Partnership, a global trade agreement, “We will not obey” it.

The TPP is the largest global trade pact to be negotiated since the World Trade Organization (WTO). Most of the details of the deal remain a mystery. Negotiations are being conducted in secret. But we know, from some of the drafts that have been leaked, that the TPP would hand transnational corporations the power to “protect their future profit potential” by suing countries, states, counties or cities in order to wipe out existing laws—laws specifically designed to protect communities’ best interests.

Those interests could include everything from internet freedom and banking and finance regulation, to the passing of bans on growing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). ......................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/20774-secret-trade-deal-spawns-we-will-not-obey-movement

[Egalitarian Thug]

1. K&R Here's hoping this has legs and catches on. n/t

[Th1onein]

2. Count me in!