TTIP day of action: Local press resources

Can you help spread the word about the TTIP day of action to your local press? It’s easy and quick to do, and it’ll make sure even more people near you find out about this dangerous trade deal.

You can either send a press release, with the details of what’s going on near you, or a letter to the editor, to express your concerns about TTIP.

There’s a template press release and a letter to the editor below. Just copy them and fill in the parts in brackets to make them relevant to your area. Then you can send either one to your local paper by clicking this link:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/TTIP-local-media

You could also find the details of your local radio station online and send them a copy of the press release too.

Template press release

Embargo: for immediate release
Contact: [ADD YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER HERE]

[YOUR AREA] people set to take to the streets against ‘dangerous pact’ with US
Locals ask MEPs to protect the NHS from secretive trade pact

Local people will gather this Saturday at [YOUR AREA] to take part in a day of action against an international trade deal which they say could put the NHS at risk.

The campaigners, members of campaign group 38 Degrees, will be asking local MEPs where they stand on the controversial trade deal between the EU and US.

The agreement – the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership – would force the NHS open to competition from American private healthcare providers. The deal is also set to allow multinational businesses to sue the government if British laws dent their profits.

Critics say this would expose the government to lawsuits if it tried to take privatised health services back into public ownership.

More than 180,000 people have signed a 38 Degrees petition against the deal.

The event in [YOUR AREA] coincides with a Europe-wide day of action to increase pressure on the EU to fix or scrap the pact.

It follows a local protest in [LOCATION OF THE LAST DAY OF ACTION] this August, when campaigners from [YOUR AREA] joined 10,000 people nationwide to collect signatures for the 38 Degrees petition against the deal.

[YOUR AREA] residents will meet at [INCLUDE HERE THE TIME AND PLACE YOU ARE MEETING ON SATURDAY].

[YOUR NAME], who was at the last day of action at [YOUR AREA], says: “[INCLUDE HERE A SHORT COMMENT – YOU COULD EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LAST DAY OF ACTION AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A SECOND DAY. YOU COULD ALSO MENTION WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING IN YOUR LOCAL AREA]“.

David Babbs, executive director at 38 Degrees, says: “It’s no surprise that thousands of people are taking to the streets again against this terrible deal. 38 Degrees members are spreading the word to force TTIP out of backroom negotiations and into the spotlight.

“The NHS is being used as a bargaining chip in a decision made behind closed doors. It’s time for MEPs to answer our concerns and explain exactly what they’re going to do to stop this.”

Ends

Notes to editors

1. With 3 million members, 38 Degrees is one of the UK’s biggest campaigning organisations. 38 Degrees brings you together with other people to take action on the issues that matter to you and bring about real change in the UK.

2 . Members of the public can sign up to take part in the day of action on the 38 Degrees website: http://ttipaction.38degrees.org.uk/

Template letter to editor

Dear Sir/ Madam,

This Saturday I’ll be out in [YOUR AREA] taking part in the Europe-wide day of action against TTIP – a dangerous international trade deal that’s a threat to our NHS. I’ll be standing with 10,000 members of campaigning group 38 Degrees also taking action across the UK.

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP, could force the NHS open to competition from American private health care providers. The pact would also let American businesses sue the government if British laws dent their profits – for example, if it tried to bring privatised health services back into public ownership.

I’m against any pact that could damage our NHS so deeply.

[YOU CAN ADD A SENTENCE HERE EXPLAINING WHY TTIP IS IMPORTANT TO YOU. REMEMBER TO USE PLAIN LANGUAGE THAT MOST PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND AND KEEP IT SHORT].

Other concerned residents of [YOUR AREA] can join me at [INCLUDE HERE THE TIME AND PLACE THAT YOU ARE MEETING]. Together we will gather signatures for the national petition against the deal and help to spread the word about how we can work together to stop it.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS]