CONGRESS HEARS THE CALL!
March 13, 2008
CIW petition campaign wins powerful new support
from lawmakers in the nation’s capital!
(Photos by Fritz Myer)
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… with members of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (Lucas Benitez, shown speaking, with translation by Melody Gonzalez of the Student/Farmworker Alliance) and representatives from dozens of church, student, labor, and human rights organizations in support of the CIW’s national petition drive to end slavery and sweatshops in the fields. |
Sen. Sanders left no doubt in his opening address that long-overdue change was on its way, saying: “As someone who represents Vermont, the first state in the United States to outlaw slavery, it is almost incomprehensible to me that we are standing here today — at the beginning of the 21st century — holding a press conference to bring attention to the fact that workers in the tomato fields of Florida are working in desperate conditions, conditions that in some cases are so extreme that even the Bush Administration has brought slavery charges. This is a disgrace and an outrage that cannot be allowed to continue.“ |
Sen. Durbin continued, relating his frustration following a recent meeting with representatives of the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange: “Tomato pickers in Florida are working twelve hours days in terrible conditions for substandard wages and the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange refuse to admit there is any problem. Senator Sanders and I disagree. And in our meeting with the Growers Exchange Tuesday night, we made it very clear that we going to stand up for the tomato pickers. The Growers Exchange refused to even consider any change in compensation or living conditions.” |
“Some of these companies are big vendors with the federal government,” Durbin said. “We can connect the dots. We’re going to examine this very closely.” Also, you can click on the links below to see some of the media coverage of the ceremony: |
“We’re here for one reason – to join in the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, to support our sisters and brothers who pick tomatoes in the fields of Florida, to stand up for what’s right. We’re here because when you’re doing the tough work of tomato-picking day after day, week after week — when you’re struggling hard just to make a living, just to survive — then you deserve fair wages and decent treatment so you can support yourself and your loved ones, but that’s not what’s happening. Instead, our food is harvested by workers who are sometimes held against their will — beaten — forced to work for little pay, or even no pay at all… We saw it in the latest slavery case down in Florida, where tomato pickers were locked in U-Haul trucks and they were beaten when they tried to escape. For every worker who’s held in outright slavery, there are thousands more who are trying to survive with poverty wages — no right to overtime pay — no sick leave — no freedom to organize into unions — no future — no hope. I’ve been to Immokalee — I’ve seen it with my own eyes.“ |
He continued, saying that “this is the beginning of a movement for millions of people… So, John Chidsey, wherever you are, give me a call… because every day that we lose coming to an agreement is that much more suffering going on that we can alleviate.“ |
The human rights movement and the civil rights movement have merged today!” |
Lucas’ address echoed the words of another speech made 45 years ago in Washington, in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial, declaring: “Together, we can bring a close to the shameful era when, amidst a sea of wealth and plenty, farmworkers have lived, decade after decade, on a tiny island of poverty and degradation.“ Mathieu tied his speech to the history of his own country, Haiti, and his ancestors’ historic battle for dignity and freedom: “At a time when civilized people still questioned the very humanity of millions of human beings, my ancestors proved that we would fight and we would die for our liberty. And we defeated the greatest army in the world, the army of Napoleon. Today, we as Haitian farmworkers in Immokalee have joined forces with our brothers and sisters in the fields to fight a new slavery. And just as no one believed we would win 200 years ago, we will prevail today against all expectations and against forces infinitely more powerful than we are.” |
Here below is an excerpt from the petition (click here to see the petition in its entirety and add your signature today): “WHEREAS, there is an ongoing human rights crisis in Florida’s fields, including:
Click here to read the petition in its entirety and sign now. |
As he has since his visit to Immokalee, Sen. Sanders led the way… |
… followed by his fellow lawmakers… |
… and representatives of the many human rights, religious, student, and labor organizations gathered there in solidarity, including, among others: The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative, Sojourners, United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS), the Organic Consumers Association, the Break the Chains Campaign, National Farm Worker Ministry, Jobs with Justice, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), the United Workers Association (UWA), Pax Cristi, and many more… |
… including long-time friend and ally of the CIW, Willie Baptist, representing the Poverty Institute at Union Theological Seminary, one of the most storied institutions of faith-based support for civil and human rights in the country. |
The ceremony ended with two petitions against slavery and exploitation stacked on a table — separated by some loose papers and 200 years of history. On the bottom, a photocopy of signatures collected by early abolitionists against 19th century slavery. On top, signatures gathered on this day against a modern form of slavery — forced labor that, incredibly, still puts produce on grocery shelves and restaurant tables across the country. |
Stay tuned as the campaign continues to grow and gather steam in churches and union halls, on campuses and in communities across the country on its way to the April 28th delivery at Burger King headquarters in Miami! |