Protest outside Mark Souder's office (oversized puppet, called the "Toxic Trader" )

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.wane.com/Global/story.asp?S=8766337&nav=0RYb

Updated: July 31, 2008 09:01 AM

Video: http://www.wane.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=2750000&h1=Toxic%20Trader%20Protest&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=27500&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=94685826

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Like any congressman, Mark Souder's probably met his share of protestors over the years.

But probably not quite like this. An oversized puppet, called the "Toxic Trader" was brought to Souder's office Wednesday, constructed by protestors from the United Steelworkers.

It was the Union's way of protesting Souder's support for free trade deals.

It claims recent trade deals with Chile and Peru do not protect workers or the environment.

Souder released this statement in reponse:

"I have always stood with the workers of this district. Outsiders can come in to help my Indianapolis opponent try to distort my record, but truth will prevail."

The Congressman's staff also released the following information about Souder's issue stances and campaign facts.

• Congressman Souder has long opposed NAFTA and, although he wasn't in Congress at the time that the law was passed, he would have voted against it.

• Congressman Souder voted against granting Most Favored Nation (MFN) status to the People's Republic of China.

• Congressman Souder has voted against permitting Mexican trucks into the United States.

• Congressman Souder has fought to stop countries from dumping steel on the U.S. market by filing a Section 301 Petition with the U.S. Trade Representative.

• Last year, Congressman Souder testified before the International Trade Commission in support of maintaining anti-dumping tariffs on steel imported from China and certain other countries.