The Occupy movement scored its biggest slap at the Obama administration over the weekend when U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk was punk’d MTV-Ashton Kutcher style at the Dallas meeting of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
After Kirk finished speaking, an Occupy demonstrator and actor dressed in a suit went to the microphone to announce that Kirk’s team would be receiving the “2012 Corporate Power Tool Award.” He said, “The TPP agreement is shaping up to be a fantastic way for us to maximize profits regardless of what the public of this nation–or any nation–thinks is right.”
Minutes later, according to video posted on the web, Kirk appeared unaware he was being spoofed and moved to accept the award before security moved in to kick the 20 protesters out.
A Kirk spokeswoman made light of the event and the protesters. “As protestors had pre-registered with USTR to be on–site at the TPP talks as stakeholders, it just goes to show that we really do open up the venues to a diversity of opinion,” she said.
The activist, who called himself “Git Haversall” of the “Texas Corporate Power Partnership” carried a plaque decorated with images of power drills that read: “2012 Corporate Power Tool Award. Recognizing U.S. trade officials’ efforts for the 1 percent.”
