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Coalition of Immokalee Workers

McDonald's Truth Tour 2006:
The Real Rights Tour!

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THE REAL RIGHTS TOUR - DAY ONE
Departure from Immokalee / Venice & Gainesville, FL


Oh my goodness.... Can it be? Is that the CIW back in the streets fighting for Fair Food? Seems as it is -- following a year-long absence, workers from Immokalee have taken the battle for fundamental human rights in the fast-food industry back to the streets...


... only this time, the bell tolls for McDonald's.

Today, Sunday March 26, the 2006 McDonald's Truth Tour began, and the battle was joined in Gainesville, as the tour caravan made a quick stop in this north Florida college town on its way from Immokalee to Atlanta.


Of course, all armies march on their stomachs, and the Fair Food army is no exception. And no one does breakfast for a long day on the road better than our old friends at the Knights of Columbus in Venice, Florida. Through four years of Truth Tours, the K of C has been our first stop and has provided a chance to visit with friends that not only puts some excellent eggs and pancakes in our bellies but fills our hearts with the warmth of their genuine encouragement for our cause.

Neil MIchaud (with microphone), Director of the Peace and Justice of the Diocese of Venice, shared a message of solidarity and blessings for the Tour from Bishop John Nevins.

While Tour members expressed their thanks for the meal and the kinship, before hitting the road again for Gainesvillle...


... including the smallest Tour member, Anjeli Sales, who, though she couldn't exactly express her gratitude, certainly showed her appreciation for some fine pancakes...

Once in Gainesville, the Tour crew was received by the Catholic Worker house, where we had time for a quick meeting before marching to a McDonald's across from the University of Florida.

Here some of the Tour members join Gainesville allies for the outside-Immokalee debut of the new hit short film, "Ronaldo the Clown."


Then it was time to gather the protest signs...

... and hit the main drag in Gainesville for a mile-long march to a local McDonald's.

On the way, we passed by another old friend, the Gainesville Civic Media Center, ground zero in Florida for the movement to democratize the media and allow the voices of people to be heard -- people like farmworkers from a little town in Southwest Florida... -- over the din of commercial media and its endless messages of consumption without consciousness.
And speaking of consumption without consciousness... The march arrived at McDonald's for a short but very sweet picket...
... which grew to cover the entire block in front of McDonald's and give the Golden Arches a new message, if even for a moment...
The Gainesville action marked the Fair Food Campaign's first-ever McDonald's protest -- the first of many, many more, to be sure... -- and it was an action worthy of such a lofty station...


... so full of colorful art...


... strong messages...

... and sincere spirit...

... that the team of four fine people sent from the corporate office, including this woman here, couldn't stop taking pictures from inside the restaurant... at least until we left and hit the road toward Atlanta.

Next stop: Nashville, TN, and Louisville, KY!