Activists Plan Thursday Port Protest
Ship with goods from Bangladesh factory fire will call on Charleston on Thursday.
Activists are planning a demonstration this week as the Carolina Maersk calls on Charleston with goods that were apparently produced at the same Bangladeshi plant where 112 workers died in a sewing mill fire.
Activists plan to form a 180-foot-long chain made from 112 pieces of foreign-made clothing, according to blogger and Mount Pleasant attorney William Hamilton.
The protesters hope to call attention to the plight of foreign workers who often work for low wages in rough conditions producing goods that have over the years nearly eliminated the U.S. manufacturing base.
Protesters are meeting Wednesday to organize for the Thursday protest. They are coordinating with local law enforcement for the protest outside the Wando Shipping Terminal in Mount Pleasant.
JoSCh
10:12 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Don't the Bangladeshi's have the "right" to work?
Keith Johnson
4:32 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
These are probably some of the same people who's shopping mantra is"cheaper, cheaper, cheaper". I wonder how many of them have actually shopped for American made products and then were willing to pay a little more for them.
William J. Hamilton
6:36 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Certainly and their country has the "right" to develop on the strength of its labor. However when they're paid 28 cents an hour to work in a multistory building that is a fire trap that isn't helping them or the United States. It's unfair to them and us. It's quite convenient to the billionaires who control our national trade policy. I'm helping run this picket. Walmart flies the wrong flag on top of their stores. They're on the other side. They can fly a white one or a Chinese one, either would be more accurate. America may have to sacrifice to help developing countries. We were happy to do that with the Marshall Plan. However here, were just part of a game which will ultimately enslave the entire human race. Clemson has stopped educating textile technology students. Our state lost 93 thousand textile jobs between 1990 and 2005 and I'm sure we've lost most of what was left since.
JoSCh
10:33 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
I was playing devils advocate William, just to be clear. Thank you, I support what you're doing.
William J. Hamilton
5:53 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
I'm helping organize this picket and protest and I haven't shopped at Walmart since July 5, 2007. We pay the premium to buy American when we can, even at the Grocery store. Here is another local demonstration we did featuring Uncle Samity Clause. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/12/11/1168944/-Uncle-Samity-Claus-Vs-Walmart
Scott West
11:38 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
If you care about the conditions under which your clothing is made, and you're in Charleston, then you should go to this event.
https://www.facebook.com/events/500978459932405/