ACTA

Dear Mr. Barack Obama,

                My name is Harriet and I am a student at Parkway West Middle School. I would like to inform you about an agreement that has causing great concern across America and the world. Known by many as ACTA, it is the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.

I became interested in this issue, firstly because it is a very significant problem that is both a violation to American rights and harmful to others. It has been brought to my attention that ACTA has been passed in the United States without democratic debate, meaning it wasn't able to be voted on by the people. If you would allow it, I'd like for something to be done about this agreement; it is a huge violation of free speech and other freedoms. I know that if ACTA were to be taken into action, it would force all internet service providers to monitor online actions, censoring all networks and websites. Even if it would stop most of the online piracy happening today, the people of America and other nations who pass ACTA would have much less free speech and would not be able to express themselves to the same level they can today. Additionally, and perhaps, most devastatingly, ACTA would limit access to medicines and other material in poorer countries, all due to patents. Crops that could feed thousands would also be banned, even though at this state we need them more than ever. All of these horrible things are sure to come if ACTA is not stopped. Thankfully, there are many things that can to stop this issue.

If you haven't heard, the European Parliament is soon to vote on ACTA, most likely in mid-summer 2012. If they were to say no to the agreement, it would most likely be stopped in its place and then unable to go any farther than where it is now. What I am proposing is to somehow persuade them to reject it. This is possible through phone calls to the representatives in the parliament or other means of action. Many people in the Americas and Europe are doing this currently, but if there could be more authority and power to their cause it would be ideal. I greatly appreciate your time and thank you for reading over my concerns.

Sincerely,

Harriet P. Faz

Parkway West Middle School

Saint Louis, Missouri

 

 

Mrs. Elsie F. Rafferty

MOSAICS Specialist

Parkway West Middle School

 

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