WTO is Dangerous, Says Activists
11/29/99
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RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: Skilled Climbers Unfurl Five-Story Banner in Downtown
Seattle, WTO is Dangerous to Democracy and Environment, Say
Activists
Source: Rainforest Action Network, [RAN Press Releases]
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: November, 29, 1999
WHEN: RIGHT NOW! Sunrise
WHERE: Between Aloha and Valley streets off the Mercer exit from
I-5
WHY: In the World Trade Organization (WTO), trade provisions take
precedence over the laws of nations, shifting power away from local
communities and governments and giving it to corporations. The WTO is
fundamentally flawed because it develops far-reaching policies
without public participation. These policies are prioritized only by
their benefit to profit, without consideration for local economies,
the environment, labor and human rights. WTO's measures to expedite
trade in forest products will increase consumption without
concurrently implementing conservation measures. This makes WTO a
direct threat not only to the world's remaining forests, but also to
individual and states' rights.
SEATTLE - In a virtuoso display of technical climbing, five activists
from Rainforest Action Network have scaled a giant construction crane
downtown, and have unfurled a massive banner protesting WTO anti-
democratic policies. The banner depicts two "one way" traffic arrows
pointing opposite directions - one labeled "Democracy," the other
"WTO."
"The WTO has already weakened the U.S. Clean Air Act and the
Endangered Species Act. If it adds logging under its jurisdiction we
jeopardize all of the forest protection laws U.S. citizens have
fought hard to pass," said Harold Linde, one of the climbers.
Jennifer Krill, WTO campaigner for Rainforest Action Network, added,
"For decades, environmentalists have asked folks to think globally
and act locally, but I don't believe irresponsible global trade was
what we had in mind. Rainforest Action Network is here in Seattle
because the stakes are too high for us to stay home."
INTERVIEWS: Interviews are available with the climbers, and on the
ground with spokespeople for Rainforest Action Network.
*WTO Campaign