A13-A14: Major Mobilization for Fair Food

Published January 10, 2007 @ 03:32PM PT

PLEASE CIRCULATE WIDELY!

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers announces a major mobilization for
farmworker justice, April 13-14, 2007, in the greater Chicago area.
Make your plans to join us for historic actions that will usher in a
new phase in the Campaign for Fair Food.

CIW: "Today, we are tired, in the words of Martin Luther King Jr., of
`relying on the good will and understanding of those who profit by
exploiting us.'"
___________________________

Nearly two years have passed since Taco Bell and the CIW announced an
historic initiative to address the ever-deepening poverty and decades
of degradation faced by farmworkers in Florida. At that time, Taco
Bell challenged its fast-food industry counterparts to join in
demanding fair wages and humane treatment for the workers who pick
their tomatoes.

McDonald's, the undisputed leader of the $100 billion fast-food
industry, has refused to meet that challenge. Despite increasing
public pressure on the fast-food giant, McDonald's has refused to
recognize the seriousness of the exploitation of tomato pickers
exposed through the Taco Bell boycott, and refused to work with the
CIW to address that exploitation. Instead, it has taken measures that
appear aimed at undermining the hard-won advances in wages and working
conditions established in the agreement with Taco Bell.

Today, after nearly two years of waiting patiently for McDonald's to
join us in addressing the crisis of human rights abuses and
sub-poverty wages in its tomato supply chain, we are tired of waiting.
We are tired, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, of "relying on the good
will and understanding of those who profit by exploiting us."

Our members and allies feel that it is now time to intensify our
efforts. As such, the campaign is entering a new phase this year, and
support from our allies across the country will be more important than
ever. The action in Chicago this April will mark the first major
engagement in this new phase of the Campaign for Fair Food.

Mark your calendars today and start organizing to bring members of
your community to McDonald's backyard this April to join us in a:

•Major rally outside McDonald's global headquarters in Oak Brook, IL,
Friday, April 13, 2007.

•Carnaval and Parade for Fair Food, Real Rights, and Dignity -
Saturday, April 14, 2007 in downtown Chicago.

We strongly encourage our allies from across the country to join us in
Chicago this April and to participate in the colorful carnaval and
parade action. Groups are encouraged to organize their own floats and
delegations for this action. Contact workers@ciw-online.org for more
info.

For background, campaign and action updates, and more information,
visit http://www.ciw-online.org .

See you in Chicago!

Thanks,
Coalition of Immokalee Workers