Residents of US City of Springfield Rally Against TPP Trade Deal

A group of US residents, living in the US state of Illinois, marched across the state's capital protesting against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the Fox Illinois broadcaster, the activists, who took to the streets of the city of Springfield on Monday, claimed that the agreement would bring harm to the country, even despite the opportunities it would provide for Illinois' exports.

The media outlet added that the protesters also expressed their concerns about the potential detrimental impact of the TPP on the environment, because it could contribute to the spread of fracking activities.

In October, 12 countries of the Pacific Rim region, including the United States and Canada, reached an agreement on the TPP trade deal, intended to deregulate trade among the signatories, which together make up some 40 percent of the world economy. The deal has yet to be ratified by the signatory countries.

Opponents argue the TPP has been negotiated in unusual secrecy and could have negative implications for human rights, national sovereignty, employment and the environment. Proponents claim the deal will spur global economic growth and create jobs.

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a technique of extracting shale gas and oil by injecting pressurized toxic liquid into the ground. Opponents of fracking argue the process poses numerous health, safety and environmental risks, including the potential for fracking fluids and waste to leak into water as well as the large volume of water used.