Despite President's Invitation, TPP Critics Shut Out From Reading Agreement's Text

CWA President Larry Cohen fired up a crowd of over 200 activists and critics of the proposed 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal before leading them on a march to the United States Trade Representative's office to try to read the text of the agreement.

CWA President Cohen rallies the crowd as activists get ready to march to the USTR's office and demand to see the text of the TPP.

"We are every union," Cohen said. "We have said loud and clear to Ambassador Froman and the president: you cannot divide us. We are united. We stand together against Fast Track and the TPP."

Under a huge "Show Us the Text, Show Us the Jobs" banner on the AFL-CIO building, Cohen spoke about the fight to protect American jobs.

"Which side are you on? Are you a corporate Democrat or are you a people's Democrat? Are you on the side of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce or do you stand with the working class of America?" Cohen asked.

At the end of the press conference, a delegation of critics that included a faith leader, a nurse, an environmental activist, a veteran, a postal worker and a student, along with the large crowd, marched to the USTR office to ask to read the text. They were responding to the invitation that President Obama issued through the media in claiming that critics who say TPP is a "secret" agreement are being misleading.

"Show us the jobs"; "show us the text," members of the crowd chanted as they marched. Alas, they were disappointed when they tried to enter the public visitor entrance and found the doors locked.

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler and Executive Vice President Tefere Gebre also addressed the activists gathered to protest Fast Track and TPP, driving home the message that working people won't stand for another bad trade deal. Joining them in were Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT 3rd District) and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX 35th District). Both made it clear that they are not going to let another bad trade deal sail through Congress.

"Thank you for letting the country know about the dangers of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Fast Track," said DeLauro, who has been championing the fight against Fast Track in Congress. "Thank you for pressing Congress and the administration and saying do the right thing for the American people."