The Global Fight Continues…
Stop the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement!
Seattle, Washington, September 6 - September 9
The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition is one of many organizations across the U.S. endorsing and mobilizing for the September 6-9 Week of Protests in Seattle opposing the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement during the third round of negotiations that will be taking place that week. The events are organized by Korean Alliance Against Korea-US FTA (KoA), based in South Korea, and Korean Americans Against War And Neoliberalism (KAWAN), based in the U.S.
A.N.S.W.E.R. was an active supporter of events that took place during the first round of negotiations in Washington DC in June, and the second round in Seoul, South Korea in July. Click here to see an ANSWER Coalition eyewitness report from the Seoul protest, including the statement delivered by Brian Becker, National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition.
The KorUS FTA is an attempt by the U.S. government to aggressively plunge Korea into a form of economic colonialism. This “free” trade is not free at all. It is free for the corporations but that is because it will be the average workers and farmers in South Korea and in the United States who will pay the entire cost. The events in Seattle in September are an opportunity to deepen and broaden the movement of international solidarity between the workers and union movement, the movement of farmers and those who are fighting to oppose war, militarism and colonialism.
Join us September 6-9 in Seattle to say:
- NO to the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement!
- Stop all meddling in the affairs of the Korea people!
- Say No to Economic Colonialism!
Below please find the announcement from the event organizers - Korean Alliance Against Korea-US FTA (KoA) and Korean Americans Against War And Neoliberalism (KAWAN). Please circulate widely.
Stop the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement!
No FTA!
The Global Fight Continues…
In Seattle, Washington
September 6 - September 9, 2006
The third round of FTA talks between South Korea and the U.S. takes place in Seattle.
Free trade policies such as the proposed KorUS FTA have had devastating effects on the lives of Americans as well as workers in the partner countries. Though FTAs are widely touted for encouraging foreign direct investment, creating jobs and jump-starting economies, most of these investments are in mergers and acquisitions, resulting in job losses. NAFTA sent formerly high paying manufacturing jobs to Mexico, forced Mexican subsistence farmers to the cities, and drove wages down, leading many to risk their lives immigrating to the U.S.
South Koreans fear a similar fate for their farmers, as well as the worsening of working conditions. The upcoming FTA negotiations address some 17 trade categories; the primary issues for Koreans are agriculture (especially rice and beef), automobiles, pharmaceuticals and the media.
Schedule of Events in Seattle
Wednesday, September 6
- 12:30 pm: Opening Rally & March at Westlake Park, sponsored by Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), AFL-CIO, and Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council (KCLC)
- 6:30 pm: International Cultural Performance at Westlake Park, with performances by Dohee Lee, SKIM, Cuchata, and Abyssinian Creole
- 8:30 pm: Candlelight Vigil at Westlake Park
Friday, September 8
- 1:00 pm: Sam-bo Il-bae March at Westlake Park
Saturday, September 9
- 1:00 pm: Closing Rally & Funeral March at Federal Building
Organized by Korean Alliance Against Korea-US FTA (KoA) and Korean Americans Against War And Neoliberalism (KAWAN)
Click here for a list of endorsers
Click here to download a flyer for the event.