MONTH OF PUBLIX PROTESTS

MONTH OF PUBLIX PROTESTS
(Gainesville, Tampa) 
Oct. 24-25, 2009


On their way north, one CIW delegation stopped off at a southwest Florida Publix for an impromptu manager’s letter drop-off. Without any corporate interference, the communication was far more direct and genuine.

Then it was on to Gainesville, where the Immokalee crew met with some great student organizers building momentum for an upcoming vote on a resolution in the student Senate in support of the Campaign for Fair Food.

The day’s action began with a march on campus, which lead from the central plaza at UF…

… to the student union…

… to the university’s Business Services department, where Aramark’s local offices are housed…

… and where the workers and their student allies’ message was heard loud and clear.

Then it was back out and off to…

… a Gainesville Publix…


… where, as they have at every Publix action, protesters got a strong showing of support from the street for their message of justice. 


Later that evening, the crew was welcomed–as always–with open arms by the Gainesville Catholic Worker

…where, after a well-deserved night of rest, the visitors from Immokalee enjoyed a delicious pancake breakfast and some time catching up with old friends before the drive to their next stop…

…Tampa.

Again the Immokalee crew staked its ground…

… made some noise…

… and joined with local allies for a great action, topped off with a delegation taking the growing call for justice in Florida’s fields straight to Publix representatives.

The delegation returns to the warm support of the crowd, and the “Month of Publix Protests” packs up for next weekend and the actions in… Orlando!