(NY Daily News website 10/12/11)

A small group of Occupy Wall Street protesters gathered outside Rep. Carolyn Maloney's district office Wednesday, hours before she voted on a free trade agreement in Congress.

The gathering of seven men and women hoped to persuade the Democratic congresswoman to reject the trade agreement, which will impact the United States, South Korea, Panama and Columbia.

The vote, scheduled for early Wednesday afternoon, is backed by President Obama and the majority of congressional Republicans, who believe it will boost exports and aid the economy.

Human rights groups, labor groups and several Democrats oppose the move, saying free trade agreements have historically caused U.S. factories to shift their operations overseas to countries with poor labor rights and environmental records.

"We are here to remind Rep. Maloney that the people she represents do not want to see more deregulation of Wall St.," said Adam Weissman, 33, who coordinated the rally and is a member of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

The group said they have tried to speak to Maloney, but she refused to comment.

"Because she has not welcomed us at her office, she will see us in front of her office instead," he added.

The demonstrators arrived shortly before 9:30 a.m., some holding animal masks to emphasize the damage they believe this trade agreement could have on privately owned farms in the United States and the other nations involved in the agreement. They handed out flyers to passers-by, but only one of the seven said he has been camping out in Zuccotti Park with the Occupy Wall Street masses.

Comments