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Border Witness:Youth Confront NAFTA

Text is in English and Spanish. Order directly from us for a $20 donation.

Border Witness tells the story of a February 2001 "Youth Delegation" to the Border of Mexico: Commentary from youth, ages 12 - 21, add poetry and moral outrage to a narrative written by Maureen Casey, International Project Coordinator. Over 50 color photographs by Marie Triller, a professional photographer who accompanied the delegation, will bring Border scenes, both beautiful and horrific (one colonia lives on an active garbage dump thirty acres wide), to the hearts and consciences of readers across New York State and beyond.

Border Witness is much more than a beautiful and disturbing and inspiring book. It can be an organizing tool, especially in the recruitment of young organizers and youth willing to dedicate their lives to the union movement. Fully aware that they traveled as witnesses, not tourists, youth delegates returned from the February trip to speak about all they experienced. Audiences included religious congregations, school and community groups. All came back convinced that NAFTA should not be continued or expanded unless significantly changed.

Border Witness can also be a vehicle for inspiring a new generation of activists. The February 2001 delegation, in the words of the youth, "changed our lives forever." Some, such as Emily Wistar are now leaders of the anti-sweatshop movement. She is interested in working on living wage campaigns because "it's very wrong that hard-working people in the U.S. live in poverty." From the mouths of youth and from the teachings of all the major religious traditions, ethical principles play an important part in the anti-sweatshop movement and the protests/debates over free trade policy.

Border Witness allows the moral high ground to be prophetically voiced for "responsible trade" and policies that protect the worker rights. Labor-in-the-Pulpit participants can also use it on Labor Day weekend or, as in New York City, throughout the year.

"The rhetoric of NAFTA's success must be held accountable to the words and images of "Border Witness." Here is a book that raises policy and ethical questions every citizen and elected official should have to answer. Youthful outrage at the unjust treatment of hard-working human beings is a hopeful sign that change is on the horizon."
Thomas Y. Hobart, Jr., Retired President, New York State United Teachers

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Last Updated:10/08/2008
© Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State