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Dear GJAE Supporter:

Ten years after activists dressed as turtles marched in the streets of Seattle against the World Trade Organization (WTO), the international body that enforces free trade rules at the expense of animal and environmental protection, the WTO is once again endangering marine wildlife.

Every year, thousands of dolphins, who swim with schools of tuna, are captured and killed in tuna nets. To protect dolphins, the US Department of Commerce instituted the Dolphin Safe tuna label. While the US permits the sale of tuna without the label, many consumers look for it to ensure that fishing fleets catch tuna using methods that prevent dolphin death. Unfortunately, the requirements for tuna to be acceptable for the label are very low – and now Mexico wants to lower them further. In October 2008, Mexico brought a WTO challenge against the US, demanding that the label be applied to Mexico's dolphin-unsafe tuna, making the label in effect a meaningless lie. A WTO tribunal is expected to rule on the matter in 2010.

With its annual seal hunt, Canada is responsible for the largest mass slaughter of marine mammals in the world. In 2009, 72,000 baby seals were killed. Beginning at 12 days of age, the seals are clubbed (often with illegal weapons), hooked in the eye, cheek, or mouth, or shot. Some are skinned alive. In response to this obscene cruelty, the European Union in May voted to ban seal products. Canada and Norway, another sealing nation, retaliated in November with a WTO challenge to the seal product ban, charging that it represents an unfair barrier to trade.

Global Justice for Animals and the Environment (GJAE) was founded to the earth and its diverse inhabitants from these profit-driven “free trade” agreements. With your help, we will devote 2010 to exposing the anti-animal, anti-environmental agenda of the WTO -- and the nations who use it to erode progress for animals and the planet. That's why I'm asking you to pledge today to become a GJAE $20 monthly sustainer for one year (if you'd prefer, you can also make a one time contribution.)

In the coming year we will:

*Use the Vancouver 2010 Olympics as a platform to expose Canada's latest attempt to undermine animal protection at the WTO, and pressure the Canadian government to drop its WTO challenge.

*Press for a vote in Congress on ending US participation in the WTO. Under US law, 2010 will be the first time since 2005 that Congress can vote on ending WTO participation and the last time such a vote can be held until 2015. With Congressional elections coming up in 2010, this will be a great opportunity for voters to demand that legislators put animals and the planet ahead of the interests of corporate polluters and animal abusers -- or be held accountable at the voting booth in November. (GJAE does not endorse candidates for office, but encourages voters to stay informed on the the voting records of elected officials on trade, animal, and environmental issues.)

*Oppose efforts by India to keep animal protection rules proposed by the European Union out of the WTO.

In 2010, we'll also continue our work in opposition to regional and bilateral free trade agreements that have contributed to the expansion of cruel, polluting factory farms in Latin America, toxic mining and oil drilling projects, destruction of the Amazon rainforest, and human rights abuses of environmentalists and indigenous communities.

But we can only do this with the financial support of caring people like you. That's why we're asking you today to join our sustainers circle by contributing $20 a month in 2010 through Paypal's subscription service, which will automatically deduct the funds from your credit card or Paypal account.

Click this button to become a GJAE sustainer:

If you'd prefer to give a one-time contribution, these are also welcome:

If you'd rather contribute by mail, you can send checks to:

Global Justice for Animals and the Environment, 15 Thames Street, Basement, Brooklyn, NY 11206. Make checks out to Wetlands Activism Collective and write GJAE in the note.

Remember, your contribution is the rock in our slingshot for the battle against corporate Goliaths intent on shaping international trade policy to their own greed -- at the expense of animals and the planet.

For Global Justice,

Adam Weissman
Founder
Global Justice for Animals and the Environment

P.S. Donate before the end of the year so that you can use your donation as a 2009 tax deduction!