 Washington Fair Trade Coalition Working on behalf of people and the planet for a fair global trading system |
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News & Events >> Past Events | ||||
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Past Events
Confronting the Food Crisis: Cultivating
Just Alternatives to the Corporate Food System
Friday, December 5, 6-9pm. Evening kick-off event at Garfield Community Center. Saturday, December 6, 9-5:30pm: Seattle Central Community College Panel discussion: "Confronting the Food Crisis." Locally and fairly sourced lunch provided. Free and open to the public! Join the Community Alliance for Global Justice and its partners to support a just, sustainable food economy! Participate in a range of discussions, panels, and hands-on workshops that help us to understand corporate control and build just alternatives with respect to local and global food systems. Topics include: Understanding the food economy of western Washington; Impacts of U.S. trade agreements and corporate influence on the food system; Strategies for local eating; Equitable access to healthy food; Farmers and Farm-workers speak for themselves; Organizing for Food Justice...and much more. The new documentary about Pacific Northwest farmers, "GOOD FOOD" will be shown with the film makers in attendance, in addition to other films about food and farming issues. The Teach-In is free and open to the public. Child-care provided. For more details and program updates: http://www.seattleglobaljustice.org/ We welcome your involvement in organizing the Teach-in! Please call CAGJ: 206.405.4600. Seattle CISPES Presents, UNIDOS PARA 2009: The Struggle for Democracy in El Salvador, Wed Nov. 19, 2008, 6:30-8:30pm Wednesday, November 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m. University Friends Center, 4001 9th Ave. NE, Seattle
A bilingual event featuring...
• Delicious Salvadoran dinner!
• Discussions with Salvadoran community leaders from around the
Northwest
• Learn about becoming an international observer to monitor El
Salvador's presidential election in March 2009
Historic presidential elections will be held in El Salvador in March
2009. However, U.S. intervention and fraud loom as the Salvadoran
people work to change their country after 20 years of rule by the
right-wing ARENA party.
International solidarity is needed to defend REAL democracy in El
Salvador. Change is coming to the U.S. Now we must defend the
Salvadoran people's right to free and fair elections in their
country. Join us for information, inspiration, and action on
November 19th.
Special guest speaker
Franciso López
SHARE Foundation Board of
Directors
Causa - Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition
$10 suggested donation; no one turned away for lack of funds
Made in LA - Watch and discuss Emmy-winning film with the directors, Nov, 18th, 2008, University of Washington What: Award-winning documentary "Made in LA," which examines the struggles and victories in the lives of workers in US sweatshops. When: Tuesday, Nov. 18th, 7-9pm The directors, Almudena Carrecedo (Director, Producer, Writer, Cinematographer) and Robert Bahar (Producer, Co-Writer) will be in attendance. We hope you will take this opportunity to see the movie, and discuss its messages with the directors after the film. The Washington Fair Trade Coalition's new project Sweatfree Washington will also be discussing bringing a sweatfree purchasing ordinance to Seattle! Click here for more information on Sweatfree Washington. You can also see the movie and meet the directors at the following other events in Washington State:
Wednesday, Nov 19th 6:30pm. University of Washington, Tacoma, Longshoremen Hall. Come watch the film and discuss its powerful messages with the directors. Make sure to take advantage of one (or more!) of these great opportunities! Fair Trade Conference, Bellinghamm WA, Saturday Nov. 1, 2008 What: Cascadia Local Fair Trade Gathering. Exploring domestic fair trade and the potential benefits to local agriculture and consumers. Who: Erik Esse, Local Fair Trade Network, Minneapolis, MN and Ernesto Bustos, Centro Campesino, Owatonna, MN. Facilitated by Rosalinda Guillen, Executive Director, Community-to-Community Development. Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 2750 McLeod Road, Bellingham, WA When: Saturday, November 1, 3 – 6 PM. Dinner at 6 PM. Cost: Free to the public—dinner and entertainment by donation Sponsored by: Community-to-Community Development, Community Food Co-op, Sustainable Connections, Skagit Valley Food Co-op, Olympia Food Co-op, Dr. Bronner’s Soaps, The Local Fair Trade Network and Centro Campesino. Election Forum on Trade Policy and the Economy, October 16, 2008, BCC The Washington Fair Trade Coalition is the proud organizer of our Election Forum on Trade Policy and the Economy. At this crucial time in the run up to national elections, it is important to discuss pivotal issues - especially free and fair trade. This non-partisan forum will give people in our community the opportunity to ask community leaders questions on how to improve our trade policy. Speakers included: Darcy Burner (D) - Candidate WA 8th Congressional District; James Postma (R) - Candidate, WA 9th Congressional District; Larry Ishmael (R) - Candidate, WA 1st Congressional District; David Henry - International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers local 751; Kathleen Ridihalgh - Sierra Club Cascade Chapter; Gaylan Prescott - United Steelworkers district 12. Co-sponsors: Bellevue Community College ASG Legislative Committee; Bellevue Community College Center for Liberal Arts; Washington State Labor Council; MLK Jr County Labor Council. Please see our Press Release for more information about the event. Strengthening Local Economies Everywhere Dinner and Fair, June 29, 2008 WFTC was a proud co-sponsor of the 2nd Annual Strengthening Local Economies Everywhere Dinner and Fair, June 29, 2009. This event, sponsored by the Community Alliance for Global Justice (CAGJ), was an opportunity to gather and reflect on alternatives to the corporate agribusiness model which are healthier for our environment, our communities and ourselves. With widespread issues of food insecurity and food injustice now gaining attention - both around the world and also at home - this evening provided a time to reflect and get energized to reform food policy. WFTC member meeting, Apr 24, 2008 In April, the Washington Fair Trade Coalition announced the visit of Andy Gussert, director of Citizens Trade Campaign (CTC) to our annual combined board & member meeting on April 24th from 1-3pm, at the Seattle Labor Temple, Hall 8. Andy's talk was titled: "The State of Play in Trade Today" and included important updates on what's going on nationally, including a review of current trade-related legislation, the presidential candidates' positions on trade policy, the status of the Columbia and other FTAs, and more. Seattle Green Festival, Apr 12-13, 2008 The Washington Fair Trade Coalition was a proud participant in the Seattle Green Festival. The WFTC believes that only reorienting our actions and practices with "green" values will help secure a sustainable and just global economic system. Among other activities, WFTC tabled at this event, and found ready and enthusiastic support for fair trade principles among the many festival participants. Witness for Peace Tour: "The Roots of Migration: Free Trade, Debt, and Survival in Nicaragua", Apr 7 & 10, 2008 (Seattle & Redmond) The second most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere, Nicaragua has struggled for years under the burden of internal and external debt. This event provided a deeper look into the effects of free trade, debt and immigration on the Nicaraguan people. Witness for Peace Northwest hosted a discussion with Yamileth Perez, a remarkable Nicaraguan community leader who lives and works in a community near the Managua city dump. Yamileth shared the first-hand impact of free trade and debt and the resulting increase of migration and poverty on the people of Nicaragua. A Nastier NAFTA: The Security and Prosperity Partnership of N. America, Apr 3, 2008 This event from the Community Alliance for Global Justice brought three critical policy and advocacy analysts to Seattle to unravel some of the myths and legitimate concerns about the unknown and undemocratic Security & Prosperity Partnership, an extension of the North American Free Trade Agreement that the leaders of Canada, US and Mexico have been negotiating for the past 2 years under the radar of elected officials and the general public. NAFTA’s inception in 1994 has ignited various human security, environmental, and immigration issues, leading us to question: Why continue forcing failed economic integration, when lives, labor, and our environment continue to be at stake? WTO Protest Commemoration - Cuz the Power of the People Don't Stop!, Dec 1, 2007 Commemorating the 8th Anniversary of the 1999 WTO Protests With the imminent release of the major motion picture, "Battle in Seattle", and the City of Seattle's $1 million settlement with WTO protesters, being distributed Dec 2007, we gathered at the Seattle Labor Temple on Dec 1, 2007 to reflect on the legacy of the WTO protests, to inspire the telling of our own stories, and to learn how the work for local and global justice continues in our region today. The event included presentation by: David Korten, Intl Forum on Globalization, author of "When Corporations Rule the World" and Garry Owens, Northwest LELO - Legacy of Equality, Leadership and Organizing. In addition, there was great food, music, and fun! Thanks to Heather Day and the Community Alliance for Global Justice for doing such a great job of organizing this event! Strengthening Local Economies Everywhere Dinner & Fair, July 21, 2007 The Community Alliance for Global Justice (CAGJ) sponsored this dinner and fair as an opportunity to gather and reflect on alternatives to the corporate agribusiness model which are healthier for our environment, our communities and ourselves. We enjoyed a delicious dinner made entirely from foods produced by Pacific Northwest farmers, ranchers and fisher folk using sustainable and just practices. To support small producers in other countries, the meal incorporated Fair Trade foods, including rice, bananas, chocolate, sugar, coffee, and tea. Dinner was be prepared by local chefs and Seattle Culinary Academy students. WA state wines and beer was also served. Almost 300 people filled the Polish Home dinning room to share ideas and good food. The program included inspiring words from Rosalinda Guillen, an organizer with Community to Community in Whatcom County. Many left energized to work for global justice and locally-based community both here in the US and abroad. IMMIGRATION & TRADE TEACH-IN - June 20th, 2007 Seattle CISPES hosted, in collaboration with CASA Latina and the Washington Fair Trade Coalition, an Immigration and Trade Teach-In. This distinctive event examined the root causes of immigration from Latin America and the effects that U.S. trade and immigration policies have on families. Recent immigrants shared their own stories, while leaders of local organizations spoke out about current immigration and trade legislation. Additionally, CISPES activists shared from their recent experiences in El Salvador, where they visited the families of immigrants who have settled in Seattle. Over 70 people joined us for a night of education and personal stories, and left with ideas for concrete action to take in solidarity with immigrants and the families in Latin America that depend upon them. The event was recorded by KBCS, 91.3FM, and the station ran a news article in their One World Report on 6/21/07. Fast Track Workshop with Thea Lee - Mar 21, 2007 The WFTC hosted Thea Lee, of AFL-CIO at a well-attended and high energy "End Fast Track" workshop on March 21,2007. The workshop also included thoughtful commentary by Carlos Marentes of Comite Pro Amnistia General y Justicia Social, Jon Brier of ILWU, and Stan Sorscher of SPEEA. Workshop attendees left with a heightened commitment to fighting Fast Track and unfair trade policy. Thea was recently featured on the Lehrer New Hour, and is otherwise making quite an impact on how trade policy is discussed nationally. Click here for the Newshour video clip with Thea. Walmart Sweatshop Tour - Feb 23-28, 2007 As a leading global retailer/producer, WalMart is causing profound impacts on workers and the environment not just in the US but around the world. Join us for this special opportunity to talk with WalMart workers from Columbia, India, and the US who all have powerful stories to share. Learn about the human and environmental costs of the WalMart globalized economic model, and what you can do about it.
Sponsors include: UW Student Labor Action Project, Coalition for Global Concern and the Associated Students of Seattle University, Washington Fair Trade Coalition, UFCW Local 21, the Blue Green Alliance, and Seattle NOW. This tour brought to Washington by the International Labor Rights Fund.
KorUS Protest in Seattle Sept 6-9, 2006: a success!
The week was a great success, with active and thoughtful protests, teach-ins, and other events occurring each day of the negotiations. The largest event was a high-energy labor rally led by the AFL-CIO and KCTU (Korean trade union), which was attended by around 1,000 people. Our voices were heard both here in the US, but perhaps more importantly in Korea. To acess archived event materials, go to our Korea Center
WTO Protest in Seattle Nov 28 - Dec 3, 1999: a success!
The week was a great success, with active and thoughtful protests, teach-ins, and other events occurring each day of the negotiations. The largest event was a high-energy labor rally and sit-in on November 30th, 1999. Although press reports focused on a very, very small contingent of activists that broke windows, etc., the overwhelming majority of protestors were peaceful and non-violent.
As a result of "outside" pressure and an "inside" rebellion by WTO members from developing countries, the WTO Ministerial was terminated without any agreements being reached. In the words of Seattle's own Jim Page, from his song Didn't We:
(Full lyrics to Didn't We) |
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