Stop Toxic Imports Rally - Report Back from Medford, Oregon
Organized by SOUTHERN OREGON JOBS WITH JUSTICE, 07.03.2008 13:08
INDEPENDENT MEDIA GETS THE "INSIDE" SCOOP - rogueimc.org
Representatives from over a dozen unions and community organizations stood up tall and spoke loud & clear in telling U.S. Senator Gordon Smith from Oregon:
STOP TOXIC IMPORTS NOW!
and
SUPPORT the FOOD AND PRODUCT RESPONSIBILITY ACT (S.2081)
Photos and Video included in this report come from the 2/29/08 Rally in Medford, Oregon with special appreciation for citizen journalists Allen Hallmark (photos) and Steve Ryan (video). Mainstream cameras (local tv channels 5 & 10) never went inside, they missed the inside scoop. See it here:
3 min. U-Tube Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8OcWaPdjiA
Banner & Steelworker Bruce Cronk
Steelworker Gaylan Prescott
wide shot of rally
Middle-camera Steve Ryan, rogueimc
Dangerous Toys from China
Rally at Sen. Smith's Medford Office
UFCW and Steelworker picket
WHAT A SUCCESSFUL SHOWING OF CITIZEN DEMOCRACY!
*The U-Tube Video shows a delegation going inside to Senator Smith's office and presenting a letter to his staff. Here is the letter:
February 27, 2008
The Honorable Gordon Smith
Security Plaza
1175 East Main, Suite 2D
Medford, OR 97504
Re: The Food and Product Responsibility Act (S.2081)
Dear Senator Smith:
We are writing to ask your support for an important piece of legislation aimed at addressing the food and product safety crisis facing our nation.
The Food and Product Responsibility Act introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Bob Casey would require that distributors of food, drug, and consumer products demonstrate the financial capacity to cover risks associated with recalls and product safety, including personal and property damages resulting from a defective product.
Even a casual glance at the headlines the last few months demonstrates quite clearly that the American consumer is at an ever increasing risk of coming into contact with unsafe food and defective products. Lead in children's toys, anti-freeze in toothpaste, spoiled and rotten food, and defective passenger car tires -- all from imports -- are stark examples that the regulatory structure in place to protect our citizens is being overwhelmed by the reality of the globalized economy. While increased funding for inspections is absolutely necessary, we need additional tools to supplement the work of government agencies.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt has publicly stated, "we simply cannot inspect our way to safety". By requiring distributors to demonstrate the financial capacity to cover risks associated with imports, this legislation would bring
market forces to bear in assessing the true cost of imported goods, which is an important element in any plan of action to protect Americans.
I urge you to lend your support to this vital piece of legislation by becoming a co-sponsor.
Sincerely,
(signed by reps. from Oregon Fair Trade Campaign, United Steelworkers, Oregon Action and Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice)
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