RELIGIOUS LEADERS TURN TO BURGER KING, DEMAND 2ND LEADING BURGER CHAIN JOIN MOVEMENT FOR FAIR FOOD!…

Meanwhile, in Miami, a Miami-area Fair Food Committee is coming together (left) to bring the fight to BK’s backyard…

In great news for the Campaign for Fair Food — and for Burger King, whether the company realizes it or not… — religious leaders across the country have already begun to call publicly on the fast-food giant to work with the CIW in support of the principles of Fair Food. The sentiments are perhaps best summarized in the words of Rev. Michael Livingston, President of the National Council of Churches, during his speech at the rally in Chicago:

“I am honored to celebrate together with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and millions of people of faith across the country the landmark agreement reached between the CIW and McDonald’s! This agreement represents a tremendous step forward in the struggle for dignity and justice for farmworkers and the transformation of the agricultural industry toward greater respect for human rights. Though an incredible victory, our celebration should be tempered by the truth that we still have far to go to extend these just gains for farmworkers to other companies and to create a truly just food system. Yes, we mean you Burger King as well as Subway and Chipotle and all the rest of the fast-food companies who continue to offer explanations, rationales, and excuses for business practices and policies that do not meet the standard of a basic tenant of Christianity–treat your neighbor as yourself–and do not reflect the just relations all our faith traditions call us to create in this world. Burger King, you’re next; get your penny ready!”

And most recently, the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ voted this past weekend to pass the following resolution:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ call upon our members in all our settings to communicate with and encourage Burger King to join Taco Bell and McDonald’s as leaders in true corporate social responsibility by working with representatives of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and other members of the Florida tomato industry to effect substantive action to improve the wages and working conditions of the farm workers who pick the tomatoes that go into Burger King’s  products;

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference Minister of the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ, individual members and local churches express their concern for farm worker justice in letters and calls to Mr. John Chidsey, 5505 Blue Lagoon Dr., Miami, FL 37126. PH: 305-378-3000 FAX: 305-378-7262
Read the resolution in its entirety here

Meanwhile, in Miami, a local committee has begun to form to raise the voice for Fair Food in BK’s hometown. In the months ahead, the Miami Fair Food Committee will reach out to high schools, universities, faith communities, unions, and community organizations in the Miami area to take the Campaign to the people of Miami and build a base for action as the Campaign continues to turn the heat up on BK. If you live in the Miami area and are interested in contacting the committee, email Brigitte Gynther with Interfaith Action, at brigitte@interfaithact.org!