Build a New World: March for Farmworker Freedom

Register for the 2023 March for Farmworker Freedom Here

Since the inception of the Fair Food Program over a decade ago in Immokalee, two parallel worlds have existed side-by-side within US agriculture: the world of freedom from abuse on farms under the FFP, and the world of harsh exploitation outside its protections. Inside the world of the Fair Food Program, workers have the power and the tools to be the frontline monitors of their own rights. Outside the Program, farmworkers are subjected to a litany of human rights abuses, including sexual harassment and abuse, wage theft, and modern-day slavery.

This exploitation must end. All farmworkers deserve to work with freedom and dignity.

Despite more than a decade of documented, unprecedented human rights progress under the Fair Food Program, and despite sickening examples of abuse like the Moreno forced labor operation continuing to make headlines year after year, there are nevertheless corporations that refuse to embrace the gold standard for human rights protections in their supply chain by joining the Fair Food Program.

Wendy’s – whose Board Chair lives and does business in Palm Beach, one of the wealthiest communities in the United States and less than 50 miles from Pahokee, but continues to turn a blind eye to the only proven solution to modern-day slavery, the Fair Food Program;

Publix – Florida’s self-declared “hometown grocer,” that refuses to join Florida’s very own homegrown, Presidential Medal-winning human rights program.

Kroger – one of the country’s largest supermarkets, which has trumpeted its commitment to social responsibility and claims to “uphold high standards and expectations for human rights and fair labor in our U.S. and global food and consumer products supply chain,” but also refuses to join the Fair Food Program as the only documented means to not just “expect” human rights in their supply chain, but enforce them. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor named Kroger as one of the buyers in the most recent forced labor prosecution.

Together, we will follow in the footsteps of 30 years of CIW organizing and more than a decade of documented, unparalleled success in monitoring and enforcing human rights.

Together we will take to the streets – workers and conscious consumers, shoulder to shoulder — to build a new world of freedom for all farmworkers.

Ready to join farmworkers for the final 2 miles?

Gathering 10:30 AM at Lake Drive Park, 500 Brazilian Ave, Palm Beach, FL 33480 – March Steps-off at 12:30 PM

You can also donate to help with the march by clicking here! 

Saturday, March 18, 2023 – Parking and Shuttle Plan

If you are joining us for the grand finale on March 18 and plan on driving to attend, we have you covered. Please see details below on a suggested parking lot to use as well as details on a shuttle that will pick participants up and drop them off at that lot:

Suggested parking:
Evernia Garage
333 Evernia St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Capacity: 800 spaces
$1 for the first two hours, $2 for every additional 30 minutes

Suggested arrival time to parking lot:
10:00-11:00 AM

CIW Shuttle will meet participants in front of Evernia Garage
Look for 15-passenger vans labeled “CIW Shuttle”

First shuttle will pick up participants at 10:00 a.m.
Last shuttle will pick up participants at 12:15 p.m.

First shuttle will leave the protest for drop-off at 2:00 p.m.
Last shuttle will leave the protest for drop-off at 3:00 p.m.

 

For more information, contact:

email: workers@ciw-online.org 

phone: 239-986-0891