… a day dedicated to the memory of workers fallen in the fight for simple economic justice, was celebrated this year in Florida with actions across the state in solidarity with farmworkers leading that same fight today.
May Day this year in Florida was a reminder that no corporation exists without the goodwill of its customers, and that goodwill is not unconditional.
On May Day this year in Florida, consumers declared loud and clear that Taco Bell’s fate is in the consumers’ hands, and until Taco Bell acknowledges that the farmworkers’ struggle is Taco Bell’s problem, business will be anything but ususal.
May Day this year in Florida took the Taco Bell boycott to a new level.
Here below are pictures from a few of the actions and some of the collected press:
PRESS ON MAY DAY PROTESTS
Tallahassee Democrat Op/Ed: “Like Nike, Taco Bell must not support suffering” (5/5/01)
Palm Beach Post Editorial: “From Nike to Taco Bell” (5/8/01)
Gainesville Sun report: “UF students join protest over tomato dispute” (5/02/01)
Palm Beach Post report: “Tomato pickers protest at Taco Bell” (5/02/01)
Naples Daily News report: “Protesters target Taco Bell over farming conditions” (5/02/01)
| QUICK HITS ON MAY DAY ACTIONS |
(Click on town name to see summary of action and photos, or just scroll down at your own pace)
| West Palm Beach |
At West Palm Beach, according to the Palm Beach Post coverage, “Members of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers… were joined by a rowdy bunch of activists: a 92-year old woman, a person dressed as a tomato, a bearded man on stilts, an American Indian Movement representative, and former state Representative Barry Silver. One (activist) threw himself in front of a station wagon, blocking the lot entrance and a lane of lunchtime traffic for about 15 minutes before sheriff’s deputies dragged him to the side.”
The protest was followed that evening by a May Day celebration at a local church attended by CIW representatives, community activists, students and neighborhood children.
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CIW member at |
The stilts make it |
92 and still an activist – an inspiration to all of the protesters |
| Gainesville |
According to one participant, the Gainesville action (entitled “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes“) was, “an energetic protest of 50-100 people gathered at a local Taco Bell restaurant to raise awareness about the great injustice between the enormous wealth of those who own Taco Bell and the gross poverty of those who pick the tomatoes for tacos, burritos, and chalupas. The protest was part of the decentralized statewide actions against the Taco Bell company. In Gainesville, about 30 protesters dressed up as tomatoes, wearing red garbage bags over their torsos and green pantyhose over their faces with leaves sticking out of their heads. It was an incredible scene and the energy was very high with chants in English and Spanish….
“Later that night, a May Day rally took place with almost 100 people listening to labor and comunity organizers…”
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The picket line forms. One sign reads: “Sweatshop Labor: Not just a problem in Asia” |
Angry Mr. Tomato-tron chains himself to the drive-thru and glares menacingly at the window… Taco Bell’s tomatoes are revolting! |
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A Critical Mass goes for sodas at the Bell! |
You can read more about the Gainesville rally (and see more pictures) at www.geocities.com/maydayflorida/
| Ft. Myers |
Students and faculty from Florida Gulf Coast University joined with Immokalee workers and community activists from Southwest Florida in an evening rush hour protest at a Taco Bell on 41 in the heart of Ft. Myers’ business district. About 30 people picketed and marched around the Taco Bell, accompanied by one well turned-out anti-exploitation-mobile.
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There was no Taco Bell back when this car was made, just local burger joints and real taquerias! Ah, those were the days… |
“A” for sentiment… |
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It’s unanimous… The old, the young, farmworkers, students, and even dogs say “No queremos Taco Bell!” |
| Sarasota |
New College students joined farmworkers from Immokalee in an art-filled protest at a Taco Bell near Sarasota. They even had their own anti-exploitation-mobile.
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