On May 16, as the 17th round of negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) opened at Lima’s Hotel Marriott, scores of trade unionists and activists protested outside, with banners reading “Health is not for sale,” “Justice is not for sale,” “National sovereignty is not for sale” and “The Internet is not for sale.” Opponents say the TPP would drive up the price of medicines, criminalize boycotts and strikes, unleash Internet censorship, and limit national governments’ power to enforce labor and environmental standards. A core group of activists established a two-day vigil or plantón outside the Marriott. (RJSIG, May 19; CNN, May 18; La Mula, May 17; RedGE, May 16)
