Whitney Smith, another senior, said: “It's important for students and community
members to realize that sweatshops are prevalent in the garment industry. Our
research shows that Vermont is currently buying products made by companies that
have been cited for labor violations. That's why we pushed for this law – to
urge companies to improve conditions in their factories and respect workers'
rights.”

On
the back of the card, she can read about women who work in the flower industry
in Colombia, which ships nearly all of its flowers to the United States. About
60% of flowers sold in the U.S. are imported from Colombia, and the majority of
workers on Colombian flower plantations are women.

First, we already have a trade deal with Colombia.  This so-called 'free trade' agreement is just a different set of rules, to replace the current set of rules.  Not better or worse, and certainly no more 'free,' just a different set of rules.  Editorial boards of major papers should read the details before jumping in to suggest that we are somehow withholding access to our markets by failing to pass this particular deal.

Our family has not shopped at Wal-Mart for many years for some of the very reasons we were hearing Sunday evening. The presentations both were quite convincing about the need to buy fair-trade items whenever possible, pressure international and domestic companies to treat workers appropriately and with a living wage, support local businesses, and purchase and eat locally grown and manufactured items to the extent possible. I'm grateful we had the opportunity to hear Savin and Didier, and that students have the chance to serve in internships with SweatFree Communities.