Conch shell activists blow the whistle on trade deal

MAUI, HAWAII – Coalition of advocates for the environment, labor, health and native Hawaiians will converge outside the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations to call out threats to the environment, jobs and indigenous sovereignty rights. The July 29 rally, timed near the anniversary of the Restoration Day for Hawaiian sovereignty, will attempt a world record number of conch shell blowers to call attention to the TPP’s harm to Hawaiian indigenous rights known as Kanaka self-determination, worker abuses, climate disaster and a global race to the bottom.

Human rights and environmental watchdogs protest the trade deal’s provisions that allow corporations to sue governments over loss of expected profit. Protestors stand for the protection of public health laws, safeguards against pollution, labor rights, patent policies that insure affordable medicine, and other public interest policies.

Who: K?ko’o Haleakal?, AiKea, ‘Ohana o Kaua’i, Hawaii Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action (H.A.P.A), Hawai’i SEED, KAHEA: Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance, UNITE HERE Local 5Public Citizen, MoveOn, SumOfUs, Flush the TPP, Popular Resistance, Babes Against Biotech, Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery, Occupy Wall Street Maui

What: “Stop the TPP, by Land and Sea” rally to advocate reform and transparency in negotiations among 12 Pacific Rim countries and 500 corporate advisors.

When: 12:00 p.m. HST, Wednesday, July 29 

12:00 p.m. Participants gather
2:00 p.m. Press Conference
5:00 p.m. World-Record Attempt for Most Conch Shells Blown at One Time

Event updates: http://tppmaui.com/

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Where: Kaanapali Beach, Maui, in front of Westin Maui Resort and Spa (2365 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761)

Visuals will include an attempt at a world record number of conch shell blowers; indigenous activists, surfers, canoers, kayakers; signs and banners on beach front and in ocean.

For more information on the dangers of the Trans Pacific Partnership, visit: Amigos de la Tierra, Citizens Trade Campaign y The Hawaii Independent.

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Contactos de expertos:
Jenny Bock, Friends of the Earth, (202) 222-0754, [email protected]
Marti Townsend, Sierra Club Hawaii, 808-372-1314 [email protected]

Communications contact: Kate Colwell, (202) 222-0730, [email protected]