German Chancellor Angela Merkel is visiting President Biden next week, and it may be our best chance to put pressure on her to support a waiver of the World Trade Organization’s TRIPS rules to unlock the intellectual property barriers now limiting global access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
Read more from Public Citizen.
From July 9-16, activists are hosting demonstration at German consulates across the U.S. urging Angela Merkel to support the #TRIPSWaiver!
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White House Banner Drop
Germany—Stop Blocking Global COVID Vaccines! Banner Drop
WHAT: Protesters will float 20’ by 10’ banner on helium lifts with White House as backdrop
WHEN: Tuesday, July 13 at 9 a.m. ET
WHERE: Corner of Constitution and 16th Street NW, Washington D.C.
For more information, please contact Arthur Stamoulis at arthur@citizenstrade.org
Press Conference
Global Leaders Urge Merkel/Biden to Solve TRIPS Waiver Block
WHAT: Leaders of public health, and other organizations will urge Chancellor Merkel to end her waiver blockade and call on Pres. Biden to show leadership by persuading her to do so, for the sake of millions of people’s lives and livelihoods.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 14 at 10 a.m. ET
WHERE: RSVP for the online event and get updates as speakers are confirmed.
Speakers Include:
- Marian Lieser, Oxfam Germany Executive Director
- Joia Mukherjee, Partners In Health Medical Director
- Ruth Driefuss, former President of Switzerland
- Moderator: Lori Wallach, Director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch
- More speakers to be confirmed
For more information, please contact Matthew Groch at mgroch@citizen.org
Protest
Mass Protest at German Permanent Mission to UN in New York City
WHAT: Protest at German UN Mission/Consulate to protest Germany TRIPS waiver blockage
WHEN: Wednesday, July 14 at 10 a.m. ET
WHERE: Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, E. 47th Street (between 1st & 2nd Ave.), New York Marching from there to the German Consulate and then to Pfizer Corporation offices.
For more information, please contact please contact Ben Levenson at b.levenson@peoplesaction.org
Protest
Die-in at White House During Merkel’s Visit (Featuring Giant Merkel Puppet)
WHAT: On the day of Merkel’s White House visit, protesters will display body bags representing the global number of COVID-19 deaths since the TRIPS waiver was first proposed in October 2020. An oversized Merkel puppet will bear witness to the sad reality that Delay=Death.
WHEN: Thursday, July 15 at 9 a.m. ET
WHERE: Lafayette Square (H St and Black Lives Matter Plaza NW)
For more information, please contact Arthur Stamoulis at arthur@citizenstrade.org
Vigils
Vigils at German Consulates Across the Country
WHAT: Waiver advocates will hold vigils outside German consulates, remembering those who have died of COVID-19 and calling for the global access to vaccines and treatments that’s needed to help save millions of lives and end the pandemic. Several have already been held, and more are being scheduled. Confirmed vigils are below, all times local:
CALIFORNIA
Wednesday, July 14 * 10:00 a.m.
Outside the German Consulate
6222 Wilshire Boulevard * Los Angeles, CA
For more information, please contact Will Wiltschko at will@citizenstrade.org
RSVP for Los Angeles Event Online Here
Thursday, July 15 * 6:00 p.m.
Outside the German Consulate
1960 Jackson Street * San Francisco, CA
For more information, please contact Will Wiltschko at will@citizenstrade.org
RSVP for San Francisco Event Online Here
Friday, July 16 * 10:30 a.m.
Outside the Honorary German Consulate (Emerald Center)
1620 5th Ave * San Diego, CA
For more information, please contact Will Wiltschko at will@citizenstrade.org
RSVP for San Diego Event Online Here
COLORADO
Wednesday, July 14 * 11:00 a.m.
Outside the Honorary German Consulate
4100 E Mississippi Avenue * Denver, CO
For more information, please contact Andi Petrovic at apetrovic@citizen.org
RSVP for Denver Event Online Here
ILLINOIS
Tuesday, July 13 * 8:30am
Outside the German Consulate
676 N Michigan Ave * Chicago, IL
For more information, please contact Emily Kuttner at ekuttner@gmail.com
MAINE
Thursday, July 15 * 12:30 p.m.
Across from Honorary German Consulate (Lobsterman Park)
1 Temple Street * Portland, ME
For more information, please contact Martha Speiss at mspiess@myfairpoint.net
RSVP for Portland Event Online Here
MASSACHUSETTS
Monday, July 12 • 12:00 p.m.
Copley Square (Corner of Boylston & Darmouth Streets)
560 Boylston St • Boston, MA
For more information, please contact Andi Petrovic at apetrovic@citizen.org
RSVP for Boston Event Online Here
NEW YORK
Wednesday, July 14 * 10:00 a.m.
Dag Hammarskjold Plaza
47th Street (between 1st & 2nd Ave) * New York, NY
For more information, please contact please contact Ben Levenson at b.levenson@peoplesaction.org
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RSVP for the New York Event Online Here
Thursday, July 15 * 5:00 p.m.
Outside the Honorary German Consulate
120 West Tupper Street * Buffalo, NY
For more information, please contact George Kimball at george@citizenstrade.org
RSVP for Buffalo Event Online Here
OHIO
Wednesday, July 14 * 12:00 p.m.
Outside the Honorary German Consulate (One Cleveland Center)
1375 E. Ninth Street * Cleveland, OH
For more information, please contact Andi Petrovic at apetrovic@citizen.org
RSVP for the Cleveland Event Online Here
OREGON
Wednesday, July 14 * 6:00 p.m.
Outside Honorary German Consulate
3900 SW Murray Blvd • Beaverton, OR
For more information, please contact Hillary Haden at hillary@washingtonfairtrade.org
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RSVP for Beaverton Event Online Here
TEXAS
Friday, July 9 * 11:00am
Car Caravan Around German Consulate
Meeting at 17198 Knoll Trail Road * Dallas, TX
For more information, please contact Bob Cash at bobcash@citizenstrade.org
RSVP for Dallas Event Online Here
UTAH
Tuesday, July 13 * 12:00 p.m.
Outside the Honorary German Consulate
36 State St * Salt Lake City, UT
For more information, please contact Andi Petrovic at apetrovic@citizen.org
RSVP for Salt Lake Event Online Here
VIRGINIA
Thursday, July 15 * 10:30 a.m.
Outside the Honorary German Consulate (Town Point Park and Nauticus)
1 Waterside Drive * Norfolk, VA
For more information, please contact Ryan Harvey at rharvey@citizen.org
RSVP for Norfolk Event Online Here
WASHINGTON
Sunday, July 11 * 1:00 p.m.
The German House
613 9th Ave * Seattle, WA
For more information, please contact Hillary Haden at hillary@washingtonfairtrade.org
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RSVP for Seattle Event Online Here