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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release

U.S., Mexican and Canadian Civil Society Groups Deliver Hundreds of Thousands of "ISDS-Out-of-NAFTA" Petitions as Fourth Round of Renegotiation Talks Starts in Washington

Press conference, rally, petition delivery. Member of Congress, union presidents and other civil society leaders demand that Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) be eliminated from NAFTA during renegotiations. Trump administration officials are expected to table a proposal on the controversial NAFTA investment chapter later the same day.

WASHINGTON

Press conference, rally, petition delivery. Member of Congress, union presidents and other civil society leaders demand that Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) be eliminated from NAFTA during renegotiations. Trump administration officials are expected to table a proposal on the controversial NAFTA investment chapter later the same day. ISDS makes it less risky and expensive for corporations to outsource jobs and empowers them to attack domestic policies that protect public health and the environment by going before tribunals of three corporate lawyers who can order unlimited compensation be paid to the corporations by taxpayers. Participating organizations will deliver hundreds of thousands of petitions demanding NAFTA's special protections for investors be eliminated. Civil society organizations and unions throughout North America are united in demanding ISDS be eliminated from NAFTA. Last month, a major association of small businesses sent a letter signed by more than 100 firms calling for elimination of ISDS in NAFTA.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 11, 10:15 a.m.

(the first day of the fourth round of NAFTA talks)

WHERE: House Triangle, U.S. Capitol Building

WHO: Speakers include: U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan)

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota)

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio)

Petitions from:

AFL-CIO

 

Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network

 

Center for International Environmental Law

 

Citizens Trade Campaign

 

Corporate Accountability International

 

Council of Canadians

 

CREDO Action

 

Communications Workers of America

 

Daily Kos

 

Demand Progress

 

Democracy for America

 

Derechos Digitales

 

Food and Water Watch Action Fund

 

Franciscan Action Network

 

Friends of the Earth

 

Global Exchange

 

Good Jobs Nation

 

Machinists Union

 

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

 

Interfaith Workers Justice

 

International Corporate Accountability Roundtable

 

International Labor Rights Forum

 

Just Foreign Policy

 

Leadnow

 

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

 

Open Media

 

Our Revolution

 

People Demanding Action

 

Presbyterian Church (U.S.)

 

Presente Action

 

Progressive Congress Action Fund

 

Public Citizen GTW

 

Sierra Club

 

SumOfUS

 

Teamsters

 

Trade Justice Network (Canada)

 

United Church of Christ

 

United Electrical Workers

Public Citizen is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that champions the public interest in the halls of power. We defend democracy, resist corporate power and work to ensure that government works for the people - not for big corporations. Founded in 1971, we now have 500,000 members and supporters throughout the country.

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