USA: Anti-TTP activist block DC traffic in protest against trade agreement

Climate activists rallied outside the US Trade Representative building in Washington D.C., Monday, to protest the implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The TPP has threatened healthcare in less developed countries by potentially increasing the prices of medical drugs. One of the demonstrators brought an alpaca to the rally. The crowd blocked the street outside the Winder Building during morning rush hour, chanting slogans and beating drums while decrying the trade deal. The event is a part of a week-long action aimed at drawing attention to climate issues and voicing opposition to TPP, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), and the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA). The TPP is a proposed trade agreement concerning a variety of matters of economic policy. Protesters claim that TPP threatens healthcare by potentially increasing the prices of medical drugs, as well as threatening jobs, the environment and workers' rights. The deal is being negotiated between several Pacific Rim countries including Japan, Canada, Mexico and Australia and covers a variety of matters regarding economic policies, including trade barriers such as tariffs, intellectual property and environmental law.