Several people protest fast track, Trans-Pacific Partnership outside US Rep. O’Rourke’s El Paso office

By Evan Folan

Congressman Beto O’Rourke’s El Paso office had several protestors outside it Wednesday in opposition to fast track and the Trans-Pacific Partnership proposals.

UTEP Professor, Dr. Aurolyn Luykx said, “(the Trans-Pacific Partnership) has been referred to again and again as a trade deal which is rather misleading. What it really is is a give away of rights to corporations at the expense of citizens at the expense of the environment and at the expense of workers rights.”

The protestors say that if passed, job losses could be the tip of the iceberg. They say less stringent regulation in other countries could affect the safety of a wide variety of imports, including food and medicine.

“Trade is very important here in el paso, but what is going to happen at the border if there is less regulation. Is there going to be some products going back and forth that isn’t to the benefit of the people in mexico or in the united states?” said Sylavia Searfoss, a member of National Nurses United.

Robert Heyman, with the Border Network for Human Rights, says another big concern is a lack of information about what could be in the final proposal.

“I think we need the text of this bill to be public and it should have been public all along,” Heyman said.

Heyman added, “We are here to let Congressman O’Rourke know that we want him to vote no on this and we want him to vote no on fast track.”