Actions speak louder than words…

Posted on by CIW

Actions speak louder than words… or do they? Children’s letters to Burger King delivered following powerful protest in Miami!… “Dear Mr. Grover: My name is Josh and I am nine years old. I think farm workers do not get enough pay… I think you should pay one penny more per pound for tomatoes so that they can provide for their families. It may not seem like a lot to you but it’s a lot for other people. You make so much money that you should give back to the farm workers. If God were here he’d tell you to give half you money to the farm workers, but we’re only asking for a penny…”

Josh’s letter was one of more than 100 letters written by students at All Saints Catholic School in Broward County that were delivered to Steven Grover yesterday at Burger King headquarters in Miami, following a spirited protest (above, left) at a Burger King restaurant in Miami.

Here below are a few more excerpts from these incredibly smart and moving letters:

  • “They work in the heat of the day and they bend over and stand up, bend over and stand up — plus they haul all those tomatoes over to the loading truck. I personally think one penny more should be the least you could do to help them…,” Vincent, 14
    Steven Grover, in blue, vice president for food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, receiving letters outside BK corporate headquarters yesterday, 8/1
  • “Maybe what you could do is for every pound pay them a penny more than they were making before. Of course, that would make you use more of your money that you make, but I think you make enough money to pay your tomato workers a little bit more…,” Katelyn, 13
  • “I don’t think you would want a job that doesn’t pay you enough to raise your family, and I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be treated the way they’re being treated…,” Jessica, 13
  • “The people picking your tomatoes are basically slaves, over-worked and poorly paid slaves. I am a 14 year old boy and I believe that what the CIW is doing to help people picking your tomatoes is very good. People should not be treated like slaves picking tomatoes for such low pay…,” Damian, 14
  • “I figure that you have received many complaints about this matter already, and are tired of reading them, but please hear us out! Why spend more of your valuable time and money on something that you can end by paying a penny per pound? We are working hard for the rights of these workers and we hope that you can join in on this fight for fair wages and better working conditions…,” Joshua, 14 (read more letters…)

Note: If you are a teacher and you’re interested in a lesson plan on the Campaign for Fair Food for your classes this school year, email Brigitte Gynther of Interfaith Action at brigitte@interfaithact.org today!

And don’t forget, coming actions in South Florida include:

  • Saturday, August 25, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm — Burger King restaurant at 1800 Sterling Road, Dania Beach
  • Friday, August 31, lunchtime — Rally at Burger King Corporate Headquarters, Miami. 75 students and young people from across the country from the Student/Farmworker Alliance will join South Florida fair food activists for what will surely be a memorable rally. Be there if you can! (see more on recent protests)