2012 Northeast Tour
New York
4/15/12
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... which gathered supporters and zeal as it went... |
... carrying its message of challenge to Chipotle's self-styled branding as the only fast-food company to sell "Food with Integrity" (while that particular slogan may be in doubt, what's for sure is that, in this list of five major fast-food companies -- Taco Bell, McDonald's, Burger King, Subway, and Chipotle -- Chipotle is the only one not to sign a Fair Food Agreement). |
The Rude Mechanical Orchestra timed their trumpets and bassoons to the rhythm of the marchers' chants, blaring and blowing and drumming the procession through NYC's busy streets... |
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This picture tells you everything you need to know about the conversation at the second restaurant... |
Because without farmworkers, there is no food, with or without integrity. |
And that's such an obvious message, even a toddler can understand it. |
Support for that message rang out from the heart of the city to the suburbs of White Plains, from the doorstep of Chipotle to the sidewalks outside Stop & Shop, where faith leaders of a remarkably wide denominational representation took on Stop &Shop's similarly dismissive approach to partnering with farmworkers to ensure that human rights are upheld in the fields. |
Among those who joined in one of the most colorful actions White Plains has ever seen were the Hudson River Presbytery, Rabbis for Human Rights-North America, Memorial United Methodist Church, Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, the Ursaline Sisters, Congregation Kol Ami, Larchmont Presbyterian Church, South Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, White Plains Presbyterian Church, and Manhattan College's Campus Ministry & Social Action. |
Outside, the feeling was electric, as people of faith who had supported the CIW and the Campaign for Fair Food got to meet the workers for the first time, now joining together to raise their voices for justice... |
... and again, the children led them... |
... moved by a message so clear... |
[It would be just wrong not to share the reason why this man, the Rev. Jeff Geary of White Plains Presbyterian Church, is beaming like he is -- and that's because that is his son, August, in the previous picture, letting the crowd know why he believes in Fair Food! A father's pride is powerful stuff...] |
As the protest wrapped up, the faith leaders and Fair Food activists marched three abreast into the store... |
... for what would be the largest pray-in the Campaign for Fair Food history... |
Sadly, the Shop & Shop representatives on hand had little patience for the group and demanded that those gathered in prayer leave, immediately. The group peacefully agreed to leave, their prayers hanging mid-breath, and exited the store. But just as they turned to leave, the Rev. Joe Gilmore of South Church in nearby Dobbs Ferry stopped in his tracks and turned back towards the group. He asked a simple question, opening one last space for expression of the unrequited energy still lingering in the store. "Do we hear an Amen?" In a collective voice -- full, urgent and faithful -- the word rang out through the store: "AMEN!" |