Martin Luther King was brought down by an assassin’s bullet on April 4th, 1968, in Memphis, TN, where he had traveled to support sanitation workers on strike for a fair wage. Nearly 40 years later, his spirit and prophetic dream of social justice continue to inspire hundreds of millions of people around the globe to question things as they are and to fight to make a more humane, more just world possible.Dr. King’s spirit certainly moved among the hundreds of religious leaders and farmworkers gathered in Immokalee this past weekend, Jan. 15-16, at a symposium on human rights organized in his memory. In Atlanta, his legacy inspired new, high-profile support for the Taco Bell boycott. While in Tampa and St. Petersburg, FL, readers of the St. Petersburg Times were able to learn just what Dr. King and his work mean to the CIW and our struggle today in an exceptional article and photo gallery, “Replanting the dream: A labor advocate wants farm workers to be inspired by King’s passion for economic justice” (1/17/05).
At the symposium — entitled, “Human Rights and the Struggle for Fair Food: Making Dr. King’s Dream Our Reality” — over 200 religious leaders and lay people from across Florida and the country came to Immokalee for a two-day conference where participants discussed topics ranging from conditions in Florida’s fields to socially responsible business practices, modern-day slavery, the campaign for Fair Food, and the role of religious allies in the boycott.
The weekend was a powerful realization of what Dr. King called the “beloved community,” a coming together of diverse communities around a single vision of
a society built on a foundation of brotherhood, where “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Beyond laying the groundwork for what is sure to be the greatest faith-based participation yet in this year’s Truth Tour, the symposium was a deeply moving experience for all those involved which will not soon be forgotten (the weekend was filled with poignant moments, including a speech during the Saturday evening service by CIW member Lupita Vasquez, right, about what the movement means to her that left not a dry eye in the crowd of more than 500). Many thanks go to Damara Luce and Amy Ullo of Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida for their tireless work in organizing such a great event.
In Atlanta, Lucas Benitez of the CIW (left, with Nobel Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchu) represented the 2003 Robert F. Kennedy Human RIghts Award laureates at a gathering of human rights activists and artists commemorating the birthday of Dr. King. The gathering saw the presentation of a play based on Kerry Kennedy’s book “Speak Truth to Power”, including performances by Martin Sheen, Alfree Woodard, Sean Penn, Lynne Redgrave, and Woody Harrelson.
The gathering also presented the opportunity for many of the artists and activists present to become more familiar with the Taco Bell boycott. As as result, we have a long list of new endorsers, including Martin Sheen (right, star of one of the greatest movies of all time, “Apocalypse Now,” 
with Lucas…), Alfre Woodard, and Lynn Redgrave! And with any luck, Martin Sheen will be joining us in Louisville for the March 12th rally at Yum Brands headquarters.
Finally, we wrap up our report on this incredible weekend with on last plug for the St. Petersburg Times article “Replanting the dream”. Here’s just a taste to whet your appetite:
” For most Americans, King is remembered for bus boycotts and lunch-counter protests and his long fight for racial equality. Often forgotten is that in the last years of his life, he broadened his focus to economic justice – decent wages, health care, quality housing. And organizing farm workers.” Read more
All in all, a great weekend for Immokalee and for the Taco Bell boycott. One more thing for which we have Dr. King to thank.