|
|
 
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Catch a Free Ride to the July 24 hearing
Call For Fair Trade Not "Free" Trade
RALLY IN DELBARTON, W.VA. ON JULY 19
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, join the new group, DECAF-Delbarton Environmental Community Awareness Foundation-at a rally for coalfield justice. The rally aims to help increase local public awareness about citizens' environmental rights-complete with free food and drinks. There will be plenty of information about coal sludge impoundments, as one looms over the town. Directions from 119 South: Turn onto Rt. 65 at the Delbarton exit and continue on Rt. 65 for 7 or 8 miles. The park is on the left side. Watch for the "Coalfields Justice!" sign.
RIDE THE VAN FROM HUNTINGTON TO THE JULY 24 EIS HEARING
OVEC has reserved a van to take folks from Huntington to the evening session of the mountaintop removal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) public hearing on Thursday, July 24. The van will leave from the Big Bear at 29th St. We'll meet at the east end of the parking lot, but we haven't set the departure time yet. Be sure to call the office at 304-522-0246 to reserve your space. We may also arrange for carpooling if the van fills up quickly.
Please call Senator Byrd today at 202-224-3954 and ask him to vote NO on the Senate fire bill (HR1904). Please also call Reps. Mollohan at 202-225-4172 and Capito at 202-225-2711. Ask them to vote FOR the Inslee-Davis-Tauscher Roadless Amendment and FOR the Udall National Forest Management Act amendment. Both will be added to the Fiscal Year 2004 (FY04 Interior Appropriations Bill. That vote is today.
The Citizens for Clean Elections, a coalition of 26 groups supporting public funding of elections in West Virginia (coordinated by OVEC's Janet Fout), is holding its first "Democracy Rescue" forum on 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, August 4 at the Cabell County library in Huntington. Ms. Cecilia Martinez, the featured speaker, is the Executive Director of the Reform Institute for Campaign and Election Issues and the former Executive Director of the Clean Elections Institute in Arizona. Ms. Martinez will talk about how well Clean Elections are working in Arizona and she'll show a special video message to West Virginians from Senator John McCain, who supports this voluntary, public funding system of elections. This event is co-sponsored by the Huntington League of Women Voters. For more information call the OVEC office at 304-522-0246.
CALL FOR FAIR TRADE NOT "FREE" TRADE
The week of July 21, the House and Senate will vote on legislation to implement two harmful trade deals -- one with Chile, the other with Singapore. Neither of the agreements has enforceable protections for workers or the environment. Both agreements would include provisions like those in NAFTA that allow foreign corporations to sue taxpayers if environmental or health laws interfere with profits. Both agreements restrict access to generic medicines. What's worse, the Bush administration touts these agreements as models for major new trade deals, including the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
While it's likely that the Chile and Singapore agreements will pass, it's imperative that we keep as many members as we can from voting yes. We must send the message that these agreements are bad policy and not a model for the FTAA.
Please call your Representatives today and urge them to oppose the Chile and Singapore trade deals! The Congressional Switchboard will connect you to your Member's office: (202) 224-3121.
TALKING POINTS
Hello, my name is ___________. I am calling from [YOUR TOWN] to urge that Rep. ______________ oppose the trade deals with Chile and Singapore.
Both Agreements are a giant step backward in terms of treatment of labor and environment.
Both agreements contain risky "investor provisions" that would allow foreign corporations to sue US taxpayers for lost profits. The agreements restrict the ability of Chile and Singapore to meet public health crises by providing access to cheaper medicines.
The Chile and Singapore trade deals are being cited as a model for larger regional trade agreements including the Central American Free Trade Agreement and the Free Trade Area of the Americas. I would support trade deals that are safe, clean and fair. The Chile and Singapore trade deals do not meet that standard. I urge the Congressperson to vote no on these agreements and to oppose any use of them as a model for future agreements.
For more information contact Citizens Trade Campaign at 202-778-3321 or sruether@citizenstrade.org.
|
OVEC Home Issues Contact Join Site Map |
|