Angry farmers hit the streets

Nigerians are faced with dwindling bread supplies because bakers are on strike over increasing prices for flour and other ingredients. The nationwide strike was called on Monday by the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria to pressure government to intervene to curb the spiralling wheat flour prices which the bakers say is affecting business. The bakers say flour mills are also arbitrarily increasing their prices almost every week since global food prices began rising in 2008. The shortage is likely to get worse before it gets better. Bread is a staple for most of the people living in urban areas and Nigeria is the single largest importer of wheat from the United States. In August last year a similar strike was called by the bakers to protest at the doubling of taxes on flour, which pushed the price of bread up by 25 percent. Nigerian economist Daniel Okoghuale said on Wednesday: "All over the world, everybody is aware that the prices have gone up. To the common man it's difficult for two, three days, the most common staple food is not on the streets. And of course there's no family in this country or other countries in the world that do not depend on bread. And now that bread is no longer in the streets, especially in Nigeria, the common man is seriously affected. They are hungry, they are angry, they are hostile." The latest bakers' strike comes in the wake of a recent government declaration that it would import 500,000 tonnes of rice valued at 600 million U.S. dollars in order to offset a deficit in the country's supplies and the rise in global prices.

Protesters were arrested after they shackled themselves at Hillary Clinton's NYC Senate office, after her support of the US-Peru FTA and her silence in regards of the Peruvian farmers killed. Hillary Clinton has lied repeatedly about this issue, and she hasn't come forward on the responsibility of her husband for signing the failed NAFTA free trade deal, from which the Peru deal was copied almost exactly. Both Clinton and Obama supported the Peru FTA but neither of them voted for it.AP reports via International Herald TribuneNEW YORK: Three people have been arrested while protesting free trade at Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton's Senate office in New York.The about a dozen protesters included several who apparently shackled themselves to the building's front door. Charges for those arrested include reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.A Clinton spokesman says the New York senator has always respected the public's right to legally exercise freedom of speech.Free trade has recently become a hot topic in the Democratic presidential primary contest, with Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama trading charges over who would better protect U.S. jobs.Hillary Colludes in Peruvian Murders4 Peruvians killed protesting Free Trade Agreement with U.S.A. Farmers in Peru have risen up to protest a free trade agreement with the U.S. that destroy their way of life. The Peruvian government declared a state of emergency and responded with violent repression. fFour Prostesters were murdered/killed and 700 arrested.Protesters in New York City locked themselves to the exterior doors to Hillary Clinton's office to protest the murders and violent repression of dissent over Multi-national Trade in food products and the harm to farmers in Peru from this International policy.Hillary Clinton, enabler, faux human right's advocate, murder, Peru, Free Trade, environmental destruction, NYC, ProtestPeru's farmers are being murdered in the streets as they protest destructive polic y! With President Bush now pushing a free trade agreement Colombia, these events demonstrate why NATA-style trade agreements must be REpealed, not expanded to new countries. Fair Trade for All Act of 2007 (H.R., 4 requires the (p) resident to withdraw from the United States-Peru Tade Promotion Agreement. Peruvian family farmers will be driven out of business by the US-Peru Trade Agreement, ratified by Congress in late 2007. This will lead to forced migration, mor farmers growing coca for the global cocaine trade, and rural displacement, unemployment creating a new workforce for sweatshop and corporate exploitation..media controal fake candidate democracy chocie decisions faux representationWith the US maintaining subsidies on its genetically modified, industrially produced, pesticide treated field crops and factory farmed meat, dairy, and egg products, Peruvian family farmers will be driven out of business by the US-Peru Free Trade Agreement, ratified by Congress in late 2007.This will lead to forced migration of farmers, destruction of ecologically sustainable traditional methods of agriculture, increased profits for inhumane factory farms, more farmers growing coca for the global cocaine trade, and rural displacement and unemployment creating a new workforce for sweatshop and corporate plantation exploitation.Peru's farmers are being murdered in the streets as they protest this destructive policy!With President Bush now pushing a free trade agreement with Colombia, these events demonstrate why NAFTA-style trade agreements must be REPEALED, not expanded to new countries.WHAT YOU CAN DOCall and email your Congress member in the US House of Representatives and ask him/her to co-sponsor the Fair Trade for All Act of 2007 (H.R. 4124), for the (P)resident to withdraw from the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement.

Protest outside Peruvian consulate.Hillary Colludes in Peruvian Murders4 Peruvians killed protesting Free Trade Agreement with U.S.A. Farmers in Peru have risen up to protest a free trade agreement with the U.S. that destroy their way of life. The Peruvian government declared a state of emergency and responded with violent repression. fFour Prostesters were murdered/killed and 700 arrested.Protesters in New York City locked themselves to the exterior doors to Hillary Clinton's office to protest the murders and violent repression of dissent over Multi-national Trade in food products and the harm to farmers in Peru from this International policy.Hillary Clinton, enabler, faux human right's advocate, murder, Peru, Free Trade, environmental destruction, NYC, ProtestPeru's farmers are being murdered in the streets as they protest destructive polic y! With President Bush now pushing a free trade agreement Colombia, these events demonstrate why NATA-style trade agreements must be REpealed, not expanded to new countries. Fair Trade for All Act of 2007 (H.R., 4 requires the (p) resident to withdraw from the United States-Peru Tade Promotion Agreement. Peruvian family farmers will be driven out of business by the US-Peru Trade Agreement, ratified by Congress in late 2007. This will lead to forced migration, mor farmers growing coca for the global cocaine trade, and rural displacement, unemployment creating a new workforce for sweatshop and corporate exploitation.

Dozens of naked Mexican farmers took to the streets of Mexico City to protest against the former state governor, who they accuse of land stealing and human rights' violations. Pictures covered their modesty as they banged drums outside the senate offices.

Hillary Colludes in Peruvian Murders4 Peruvians killed protesting Free Trade Agreement with U.S.A. Farmers in Peru have risen up to protest a free trade agreement with the U.S. that destroy their way of life. The Peruvian government declared a state of emergency and responded with violent repression. fFour Prostesters were murdered/killed and 700 arrested.Protesters in New York City locked themselves to the exterior doors to Hillary Clinton's office to protest the murders and violent repression of dissent over Multi-national Trade in food products and the harm to farmers in Peru from this International policy.Hillary Clinton, enabler, faux human right's advocate, murder, Peru, Free Trade, environmental destruction, NYC, ProtestPeru's farmers are being murdered in the streets as they protest destructive polic y! With President Bush now pushing a free trade agreement Colombia, these events demonstrate why NATA-style trade agreements must be REpealed, not expanded to new countries. Fair Trade for All Act of 2007 (H.R., 4 requires the (p) resident to withdraw from the United States-Peru Tade Promotion Agreement. Peruvian family farmers will be driven out of business by the US-Peru Trade Agreement, ratified by Congress in late 2007. This will lead to forced migration, mor farmers growing coca for the global cocaine trade, and rural displacement, unemployment creating a new workforce for sweatshop and corporate exploitation..

Hillary Colludes in Peruvian Murders4 Peruvians killed protesting Free Trade Agreement with U.S.A. Farmers in Peru have risen up to protest a free trade agreement with the U.S. that destroy their way of life. The Peruvian government declared a state of emergency and responded with violent repression. fFour Prostesters were murdered/killed and 700 arrested.Protesters in New York City locked themselves to the exterior doors to Hillary Clinton's office to protest the murders and violent repression of dissent over Multi-national Trade in food products and the harm to farmers in Peru from this International policy.Hillary Clinton, enabler, faux human right's advocate, murder, Peru, Free Trade, environmental destruction, NYC, ProtestPeru's farmers are being murdered in the streets as they protest destructive polic y! With President Bush now pushing a free trade agreement Colombia, these events demonstrate why NATA-style trade agreements must be REpealed, not expanded to new countries. Fair Trade for All Act of 2007 (H.R., 4 requires the (p) resident to withdraw from the United States-Peru Tade Promotion Agreement. Peruvian family farmers will be driven out of business by the US-Peru Trade Agreement, ratified by Congress in late 2007. This will lead to forced migration, mor farmers growing coca for the global cocaine trade, and rural displacement, unemployment creating a new workforce for sweatshop and corporate exploitation..

Hillary Colludes in Peruvian Murders4 Peruvians killed protesting Free Trade Agreement with U.S.A. Farmers in Peru have risen up to protest a free trade agreement with the U.S. that destroy their way of life. The Peruvian government declared a state of emergency and responded with violent repression. fFour Prostesters were murdered/killed and 700 arrested.Protesters in New York City locked themselves to the exterior doors to Hillary Clinton's office to protest the murders and violent repression of dissent over Multi-national Trade in food products and the harm to farmers in Peru from this International policy.Hillary Clinton, enabler, faux human right's advocate, murder, Peru, Free Trade, environmental destruction, NYC, ProtestPeru's farmers are being murdered in the streets as they protest destructive polic y! With President Bush now pushing a free trade agreement Colombia, these events demonstrate why NATA-style trade agreements must be REpealed, not expanded to new countries. Fair Trade for All Act of 2007 (H.R., 4 requires the (p) resident to withdraw from the United States-Peru Tade Promotion Agreement. Peruvian family farmers will be driven out of business by the US-Peru Trade Agreement, ratified by Congress in late 2007. This will lead to forced migration, mor farmers growing coca for the global cocaine trade, and rural displacement, unemployment creating a new workforce for sweatshop and corporate exploitation..

Hillary Colludes in Peruvian Murders4 Peruvians killed protesting Free Trade Agreement with U.S.A. Farmers in Peru have risen up to protest a free trade agreement with the U.S. that destroy their way of life. The Peruvian government declared a state of emergency and responded with violent repression. fFour Prostesters were murdered/killed and 700 arrested.Protesters in New York City locked themselves to the exterior doors to Hillary Clinton's office to protest the murders and violent repression of dissent over Multi-national Trade in food products and the harm to farmers in Peru from this International policy.Hillary Clinton, enabler, faux human right's advocate, murder, Peru, Free Trade, environmental destruction, NYC, ProtestPeru's farmers are being murdered in the streets as they protest destructive polic y! With President Bush now pushing a free trade agreement Colombia, these events demonstrate why NATA-style trade agreements must be REpealed, not expanded to new countries. Fair Trade for All Act of 2007 (H.R., 4 requires the (p) resident to withdraw from the United States-Peru Tade Promotion Agreement. Peruvian family farmers will be driven out of business by the US-Peru Trade Agreement, ratified by Congress in late 2007. This will lead to forced migration, mor farmers growing coca for the global cocaine trade, and rural displacement, unemployment creating a new workforce for sweatshop and corporate exploitation..

Across the United States - and around the globe -- from farms to factories prices are on the rise. On Tuesday the US Labor Department reported overall producer prices rose 1.1 percent in March. Energy costs shot up 2.9 percent, with food moving up a sharp 1.2 percent.. As prices soar, the World Bank has warned of a global food crisis that could bring social disruptions. The Caribbean nation of Haiti has already seen its government fall after people unable to pay for food took to the streets in protest. Food riots have also erupted elsewhere in Latin America and in Africa. Even US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice was questioned about food and fuel costs. SOUNDBITE: US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, saying (English): "We clearly have twin problems. We have an energy and a food problem. There are some relationships between them." While some observers see food costs rising as corn and sugar farmers turn to ethanol. Rice says that is only part of the problem. SOUNDBITE: US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, saying (English): "We also think a significant part of the food problem relates not from biofuels but from simply the costs of energy in terms of fertilizer and in terms of transportation costs for food and that that is in part maybe an even larger part of spiking the food crisis that we have." Economists point to many factors. There is increasing demand from China as well as India, and the fact that Australia has been hit with the worst drought in 100 years. And there is the questions of incentives, like subsidies in the US for farmers to grow corn for ethanol. Daniel Weiss of the Center for American Progress. SOUNDBITE: Daniel Weiss of the Center for American Progress, saying (English): "If you are a farmer now, it is very tempting to shift your growing corn from feed and move t towards fuel, so we have to reduce some the economic incentive to do that by redirecting subsidies that we have for ethanol ...they really are not necessary when oil is over one hundred dollars a barrel." The US Congress has granted ethanol producers a 51 cent tax credit for each gallon of ethanol produced through 2010. For American consumers, there is not much relief in sight. SOUNDBITE: Daniel Weiss of the Center for American Progress, saying (English): "There is no question that high oil prices have put real pressure on American families budget, both paying more for gas, more money for electricity and more money for food...all of these things are going continue the middle class squeeze that is already under way." Outside the US, the fear is high rising prices could lead to increasing malnutrition in Central America and the Caribbean. Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters COMPANIES MENTIONED: SYMBOLS:

Argentina's Fernandez holds a rally of support as the country faces a 20-day farmers' strike that has caused food shortages. Tens of thousands of Argentines rallied in support of President Cristina Fernandez on Tuesday (April 01) as she confronted a 20-day farm strike that has provoked food shortages and a political crisis. Columns of union members, community groups and human rights activists allied with Fernandez marched on the presidential palace in downtown Buenos Aires as farmers maintained roadblocks nationwide to protest a tax hike on soy exports. The rally was a show of strength for Fernandez, who addressed the cheering, flag-waving crowd and urged the striking farmers to end their protest. "I ask those who are harming and insulting, if if makes you happy keep harming me. But please, don't harm the people. Let the highways open up so all Argentines can have access to food, the factories can have access to materials and the businesses to goods," Fernandez said to the cheers of the crowd. The rally came a week after Fernandez faced her first major anti-government demonstration, when thousands of middle-class Argentines banged pots and pans in the capital's streets in support of the farmers. The strike, which began on March 13, has become the most serious political challenge faced by the centre-left Fernandez, who took office in December succeeding her husband, former President Nestor Kirchner. But Fernandez said she had the strength to overcome the crisis. "I know there is a personal price to pay. I know that when one chooses the path of the people, of human rights, of a more just and equal society, things always get difficult. But I have the conviction, the strength and the courage to go forward with the orders the Argentine people have given me. I'm not going to betray them," said Argentina's first democratically elected woman president. On Monday (March 31), Fernandez offered some concessions to farmers but ruled out meeting the farmers' main demand of doing away with a new sliding-scale tax scheme. The government said it would give small farmers a rebate on new, higher taxes for soybean and sunflower seed exports, plus compensation for transportation costs for farmers who work far from ports. But farm leaders said the measures did not go far enough and announced they would continue striking until Wednesday, at least. The farmers are protesting the new tax system, which replaced a fixed levy of 35 percent on soybean exports with a variable rate that is about 40 percent at current prices. The protests blocking highways and holding back farm goods have made beef scarce in Buenos Aires. There have also been some shortages of chicken, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Argentina is the world's third-biggest soy exporter and a leading supplier of corn, beef and wheat. Fernandez has said the higher taxes on soy exports will help control inflation on domestic food goods and redistribute wealth in the country.