Join us in Tampa at march for human rights!

Posted on by CIW

While the Do the Right Thing Tour crew has been on the road, CIW members and allies have been busy themselves back in Immokalee, hard at work putting the final touches on materials and mobilization for this weekend’s BIG march on Publix in Tampa. Above is some of the awesome new art that, through a colorful pageant set for Saturday’s final rally, will convey the Campaign for Fair Food’s message. With your help, that message — that a new day of human rights is dawning in Florida’s fields, but Publix’s refusal to do its part threatens to return farmworkers to the darkness of decades of exploitation and degradation — will be head loud and clear in the streets of Tampa this weekend. Click here for all the details on how you can join us in Tampa!

Farmworkers, consumers come together in Tampa for Fair Food!

The final weekend of the Do the Right Thing Tour is upon us, and with all the action of the past several days in Boston, New York, Maryland, and Atlanta, there’s a lot to catch up on, including an extensive file of press clippings that has been piling up for days. In a story from the Ft. Myers News-Press on the upcoming march in Tampa, for example, consumers from the Southwest Florida area explain why they are moved to join farmworkers in the fight for fundamental human rights:

“… The tour’s last stop is the Tampa area, where coalition members will be joined by supporters from many area churches, including two Catholic parishes: Church of the Resurrection and St. Columbkille, both in south Fort Myers.

‘It’s just a great cause and a great purpose,’ said Vikki Melchiorre, Resurrection’s youth ministry coordinator. ‘We’ve got people of all ages going.’

Chris McBride, a Fort Myers nurse and St. Columbkille parishioner, said if she had Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw’s ear, her message would be simple: ‘Publix does so much good in the community; just do the right thing by the people who grow our food. So many major corporations have already gone before you, so the way is paved.’ read more

At the end of this update, we’ll post links to all the other great stories that have come out this week on the Do the RIght Thing Tour. But before we get there, we’d like to share the opinions of a few more consumers about Publix’s refusal to support the principles of Fair Food.

Change.org, a longtime ally of the Campaign for Fair Food, has posted an online petition calling on Publix to join with the CIW in working to end farmworker exploitation. The petition has collected nearly 30,000 signatures in just over a week, but more than that, Change.org has invited those who sign the petition to add a personal comment, and we thought we’d share some of those comments with you today:

5“I shop at Publix exclusively, 2 or 3 times a week. Your position on this issue needs to change, or I need to change grocery stores.” – Julia Dawson, Miami, FL

“I am a real ‘fan’ of Publix, but if I have to, I will take my business elsewhere until Publix recognizes the fact that the company is in a position to help the farmworkers. And I will also say that I will not mind paying more for tomatoes if the farmworkers are fairly treated.” – Deacon Kathy Gilpin, Bradenton, FL

“My Publix in Birmingham is a fine store with great employees serving the public. I’m sure they’d share my concern over this totally uncharacteristic practice. I’m sure I join thousands of customers in supporting the Student Farmworker Alliance!” – Amasa Smith, Birmingham, AL

“The attitude shown by your Media and Community Relations Manager Dwaine Stevens is shocking … though I shop regularly at Publix, I will be passing until this issue is resolved.” – Sherry Schwabacer, Fayatteville, GA

“Publix employee – er, excuse me, “associate” – here. To be honest, I’m not too concerned if my endorsing this petition leads to my being fired. Modern-day slavery should very much be a concern to Publix, which asserts to be a “responsible member of its community.”- Kyle M., Jacksonville, FL

“I cannot patronize an organization that refuses to standup for humane treatment of workers providing their products.” – Gregory Mann, Hoschton, GA

“I have been a faithful patron of Publix for 10+ years. However, ignoring the atrocities that the tomato pickers are enduring is unconscionable.” – Barbara Relles, Sarasota, FL read more

We will be delivering the petition to Publix at the end of the march this Saturday, adding these 30,000 voices to the swelling chorus of consumers calling for Fair Food, a chorus that grows every day that Publix refuses to change its misguided stand on human rights in the fields.

Finally, here below are links to the latest stories on the Campaign and the Do the Right Thing Tour. Take a moment to read them, then ask yourself this: This Saturday, what are you planning on doing? Hanging around the house? Going shopping? Catching a movie? Why not do something, instead, that you will remember for the rest of your life? Join us in Tampa for the march on Publix, and be part of history! (PS: If you need any more convincing, scroll down just a bit to the great new video from Atlanta).

See you in Tampa…