 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Protesters oppose free trade legislation
By KATHRYN WEXLER
© St. Petersburg Times, TAMPA -- The two dozen people clamoring in front of U.S. Rep. Jim Davis' office Thursday formed a coalition of liberal interest groups for the environment, farm workers and unions. Usually, they are the bedfellows of Democratic legislators. But Thursday, armed with placards, a podium and a media-savvy leader, they were urging Davis, a Democrat, to vote against a bill that would facilitate free trade agreements. His vote in September is crucial to sinking legislation to expand the North American Free Trade Agreement, said rally organizer Mike Dolan of the California-based organization Public Citizen. "We get Jim Davis, we win," Dolan said. "Republicans are counting on Jim Davis." Davis has said he will vote against a House bill that would authorize President Bush to fast-track trade agreements with 31 countries. That is a new stance for Davis. In 1997, he supported a fast-track trade bill that was defeated. Four years later, Davis said, he has learned a thing or two about free trade. "One of the lessons we learned from NAFTA is that there have been a lot of problems with that trade agreement in terms of the U.S. being treated fairly," Davis said Thursday. The issue comes at critical time for Davis, who is touring the state to feel out support for a run for Florida governor in a highly contested race.Influential groups, such as the Sierra Club and the AFL-CIO, were represented at Thursday's rally. While the protesters gathered Thursday morning in the heat, Davis was in Orlando meeting with potential backers. Davis said he will decide whether to run for Congress or governor by Labor Day. The people who gathered Thursday said they fear that if the fast-track legislation passes, American farmers and workers will suffer, and environmental and labor standards abroad will never be tied to U.S. trade agreements. After the rally, Dolan marched into Davis' office and presented his aide with a copy of a pledge outlining points he thinks should be included in any fast-track legislation. Davis said several points had merit. -- Kathryn Wexler can be reached at (813) 226-3383 or wexler@sptimes.com.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times |
