October 2015

Code Pink protests for second day in a row against US bombing of Afghan hospital

On the afternoon of October 7, Code Pink showed up in "bloody" doctor's coats in front of the White House. They were there to protest the US airstrike that killed doctors from Doctors Without Borders and their patients at a hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan. The US has now changed their story 4 times, and talk of Taliban fighters at the hospital is near proof the airstrike was intentional. Doctors Without Borders is now treating this as a war crime until proven otherwise.

Video-Code Pink reads a statement from a Doctors Without Borders survivor of the airstrike

Reading a Doctors Without Borders Kunduz survivor's statement

One arrest as Code Pink protests Afghan hospital bombing in Sen hearing

On the 6th of October, Code Pink disrupted a Senate Armed Services Committee to protest the bombing of a hospital by US forces in Kunduz, Afghanistan. Dr Margaret Flowers was arrested during the protest, which featured bloody doctor's clothes symbolic of the Doctors Without Borders physicians who were killed in the bombing.

Photo by Code Pink

TPP signed, now comes the mobilization to block ratification

On the 5th of October, the negotiating parties to the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) announced they have signed the TPP trade deal. It has yet to be ratified by any nation. In the US, there is "fast-track" in Congress meaning no filibuster, little debate, and no Amendments. On the other hand, it cannot be voted on for 90 days, putting the vote into Presidental primary season. In Canada, the opposition NDP party has announced they will not be bound by the treaty if ratified prior to the election. All over the world, progressives are mobilizing for the fight to stop the TPP trade deal from ever going into effect.

Oct 4: TPP talks still deadlocked hours after presscon to announce deal cancelled

On the 4th of October, the TPP summit in Atlanta scheduled a 4PM press conference to announce that a deal had been signed. Less than an hour before the press conference, it was suddely rescheduled "until further notice." A 6PM press conference also did not materialize and the USTR took down their live Youtube channel for the TPP. As of 8:16PM EST, the Australian trade minister confirmed the talks were still deadlocked over the US demand for an 8 year patent on all "biologic" drugs. It was this demand that caused a cancer patient to be arrested as protesters raided the venue on Oct 1, and the Australian government was placed under incredible public pressure to make a goal-line stand and refuse the US demands.

Oct 3: Wikileaks predicts 80% chance TPP deal

On the 3ed of October, Wikileaks reported that there was an 80% chance that a TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) deal would be announced at the end of TPP talks on Saturday, October 3. They linked to a NZ Herald article claiming "breaktrough on the TPP" and that dairy imports were the last major blocker. The NZ Herald also says if there is no deal, only one more attempt will be made, at the APEC negotiations in the Phillipines in November.

Update Oct 3 6:40PM: Australia is making a "goal line stand" refusing US demands to extend patents on biologic drugs! News Zealand Radio News is saying the US will have to eiher abandon it's demand for an 8 year patent extension on these high priced drugs, or not have a TPP deal within 24 hours.

Update Oct 3 6:40PM: Australia is making a "goal line stand" refusing US demands to extend patents on biologic drugs! News Zealand Radio News is saying the US will have to eiher abandon it's demand for an 8 year patent extension on these high priced drugs, or not have a TPP deal within 24 hours.

Protesters raid venue of TPP talks in Atlanta, several arrests

On the first of October, another round of TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) trade talks began at the Westin hotel in Atlanta GA. In the morning, a dozen protesters entered the lobby chanting"Stop the TPP! No corporate greed." Security demanded they leave, several refused and were arrested. One of the arrestees was wearing a T-shirt reading ""I HAVE CANCER. I CAN'T WAIT 8 YEARS" referring to the "TPP Death Sentence," a US proposal to extend patents on biologic drugs such as some cancer treatments for 8 years.

Photo by Common Dreams

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