Sacramento Community Leaders Connect the Dots on NAFTA
With President Trump promising to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Sacramento labor and environmental advocates are calling on his administration to follow an open, public process with the goal of broad economic benefits for working people and improved community health in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
On February 23, the California Trade Justice Coalition, along with local labor and environmental leaders, held a town hall in Sacramento — the first in a series of town halls across California — to provide local community members with an opportunity to learn about the critical issues at stake in NAFTA renegotiations, to engage with each other, and to get involved. Now, these constituents, who themselves have had to deal with plant closings and increasing public health crises, are calling on their representatives to show that they stand with working families on trade by co-sponsoring Rep. Peter DeFazio’s recently-introduced resolution for a “Blueprint for America’s New Trade Policy.”
“If the President says he wants to go back and renegotiate NAFTA, it needs to be done in a transparent way that allows all stakeholders a seat at the table. This town hall was a sharp reminder that the American people want real results and not just rhetoric,” said Will Wiltschko, Lead Organizer with the California Trade Justice Coalition.
It’s through this type of engagement — grassroots, face-to-face interaction — that we will be able to build the power we need to disrupt Trump’s narrative on trade and build momentum towards a new trade policy that puts workers, farmers, families, and the planet first. That’s why we’re holding these town halls across California, so stay tuned for more events by liking our Facebook page and following us on Twitter.
Last but not least, check out some quotes from our amazing speakers in the gallery below!