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Progressives united outside the Capitol building on Wednesday in a rally against the TPP. (Photo: Rachel LaBruyere/ Twitter)Braving thunder and rain, hundreds of protesters rallied outside of the Capitol building in Washington DC on Wednesday to declare to the government that "the entire progressive movement is united" in the call to reject unjust trade deals and embrace an economy for all.

"They say 'Fast Track!' We Say 'Fight Back!'" the group chanted, referring to recent efforts by President Obama to push through legislation to cement the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, or TPP, without congressional deliberation. Thus far, the details of the deal have been negotiated behind closed doors, with the only information made available to the public via leaks.

Under the banner "Fair Trade is Not Free," a diverse coalition of environmental organizations, good government groups, farm groups, and over a dozen unions took part in the protest, carrying umbrellas and placards, which read: "Stop Secret Trade Deals."

"Let's show Congress that the entire progressive movement is united in the fight for a 21st century global economy that works for everyone," declared the Communications Workers of America (CWA), which organized the rally.

The TPP has been blasted by critics for undermining labor and environmental standards, as well as the open Internet. "The TPP is a horrific thing," said Kian Frederick, national field director for Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch. "There's something for everyone to hate."

Frederick, who attended the action, told Common Dreams that she believed the aspect of the deal with the most potential harm is the Investor State Dispute Resolution, which grants global corporations state status, much like NAFTA, allowing them to sue a country for supposed loss or damages if they amend their laws. However, according to Frederick, the TPP goes a step further by allowing a corporation to sue for the loss of future expected profits.

"It's an absolute race to the bottom," Frederick declared, citing the myriad ways a government will be handcuffed to old legislation: food safety standards, environmental standards, labor laws. "If we go through with it, taxpayer money will all be recouped by the corporations."

Public Citizen is hoping the rally draws attention to an upcoming congressional vote on whether to eschew legislative authority and "Fast Track" the trade deal without deliberation or input. The vote will likely occur after the midterm elections.

Speaking before the crowd, Tefere Gebre, Executive Vice President of AFL-CIO America, declared: "This is what solidarity looks like!" Gebre was joined by other speakers including Reps. Rosa deLauro (D-Conn.), Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Mike Michaud (D-Me.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.).

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Progressives Unite in Call Against 'Horrific' TPP

The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress recently held its ward and local government congresses. Internal wrangling is, however, threatening its fortunes, reports OLUWOLE JOSIAH

The merger of the three leading opposition political parties, namely the Action Congress of Nigeria, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, the Congress for Progressive Change and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, which culminated in the formation of the All Progressives Congress, undoubtedly has increased the tempo of political activities in Ondo State.

With the partys registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission on the July 30, 2013, Nigerians were hopeful that the march towards the consolidation of democracy is beginning to take shape.

For once, they were hopeful that perhaps, for the first time, an opposition party ready to serve as the alternative to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, has finally arrived.

A change, many believe, could mark the end to the nations socio-economic and political woes. Nigerians also expected a different brand of politics which would usher in a new dawn.

To many believers in the new political party, practices such as imposition of candidates, rigging and money politics would become a thing of the past.

However, almost one year after the take-off of the APC, fears are being expressed about how much change should be expected because internal democracy appears to be lacking in the party.

Political observers argue that little, if anything, has changed. To their credit, the partys leaders have, at least for now, been able to manage the teething problems of the hybrid political party at the national level largely due to the sacrifice and maturity they have displayed so far.

In states where the APC has a governor in place, the transition was largely smooth with only a few cases of disagreements.

However, in states like Ondo where the APC is in opposition, infighting has been a major hindrance to the partys quest to build a formidable structure to become a serious contender for power.

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Ondo APC and the trouble within

Politics

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Wednesday, May 7, 2014, 2:30 AM

The progressive wing of the state Democratic Party doesn't want Gov. Cuomo to run for re-election on the Independence Party line and plans to tell him so at their upcoming convention.

"You cannot be for ethics and good government and then turn a blind eye to the corrupt practices of [the Independence] party. Those two things just do not go together," Jay Jacobs, head of the Nassau Democrats, told the Daily News.

If the Independence Party doesn't garner 50,000 votes for whichever candidate it backs for governor, it will lose its right to an automatic spot on the ballot.

If Cuomo is on the partys ballot line, it would almost certainly reach that number.

Cuomo has not yet said whether he'll accept Independence Party backing, but Jacobs, a former chair of the state party, has been running a dogged campaign to convince him to forgo it.

Repeated attempts to contact Independence Party Chairman Frank MacKay were unsuccessful, but he's dismissed Jacobs quest as a temper tantrum in the past.

Cuomo's Republican challenger, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, has already sworn off the Independence line, calling the party "corrupt," and urged Cuomo to do the same.

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EXCLUSIVE: Progressives do not want Gov. Cuomo running on Independence Party

The All Progressives Congress has decried what it described as the melodramatic intervention of First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, in the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State about three weeks ago.

The party said her conduct had been distracting, counter-productive and calibrated to scapegoat others with the sole intention of exculpating her husband rather than finding the girls. Interim National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday.

According to the party, there is nothing wrong in the First Lady, as a woman and the mother of the nation, playing a role in resolving the unfortunate abduction of the girls.

The party noted that that role must be within the realms of social activism, not in policy making or conduct of state affairs.

It warned that the melodrama, highlighted by the shedding of made-for-television crocodile tears, could not and would not bring the girls back safely to their parents. What will bring them back is a purposeful and sustained effort by the Federal Government, which has hitherto been tentative and lethargic. Therefore, enough of the distracting, absurd and overbearing show that the First Lady has put up in the past few days, APC said. The spokesman for the First Lady, Mr. Ayo Adewuyi, said his principals intervention was simply a demonstration of her passion for Nigerian children.

Adewuyi said, They are entitled to their own opinion. Every right thinking Nigerian would know that the general intervention was out of her passion for the children of Nigeria.

Anybody can say whatever he or she wants to say. But those who have the love of the country at heart would definitely know that it is her passion to see that these children are rescued.

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Abduction: First Ladys parley distracting, counter-productive, says APC

Tea Partygoer gets his ear bitten off. And they Say Progressives Aren #39;t Violent.
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Tea Partygoer gets his ear bitten off. And they Say Progressives Aren't Violent. - Video