Open letter to Governor Charlie Crist, signed by more than 70 human rights, religious, student, labor, and community organizations and leaders from across Florida and across the nation: “When those who have the responsibility to ensure freedom from slavery, one of the grossest violations of human rights, instead tolerate its existence, people of conscience must speak out…” Read the letter in its entirety, and see the signatories — including authors Frances Moore Lappe and Eric Schlosser, and organizations from the Florida AFL-CIO to the national Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — by clicking here

Also:

President Mary Robinson, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: “… Slavery persists when government leaders fail to take the necessary action to prevent it. Taking preventive action is a human rights obligation of local, state and national governments… I support the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and others in urging Governor Crist to take immediate steps to combat modern-day slavery in Florida agriculture.” See President Robinson’s full statement here

 

Larry Cox, Executive Director, Amnesty International USA: “There should be no mixed messages about slavery… This incident should serve as a wake-up call: if Florida is serious about eradicating slavery, its officials must be unequivocal in affirming that not a single instance of it will be tolerated…” See Mr. Cox’s statement in its entirety here

 

Lynn Delaney, Executive Director, Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights: “The statement reflects a disturbing disregard for the rights of victims of such abusive and inhumane practices. That federal agents are still finding slavery- rings to prosecute in Florida, over one hundred forty years since the 13th Amendment banned the practice, represents a failure to protect these victims’ most fundamental liberties for both the State of Florida and its agricultural industry.” See Ms. Delaney’s statement in its entirety here

Florida ACLU: “Instances of worker abuse that rise to the level of human slavery are shockingly prevalent in Florida… It should be no surprise that Reggie Brown, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, claims that reports of slavery in Florida tomato fields are ‘false and defamatory’ and says ‘unequivocally’ that ‘growers abhor and condemn slavery’ — despite the recent case in which there was evidence documenting that slave crew leaders’ pay ‘came from growers’… To diminish the problem of slavery hinders the hope for its end, in Florida and elsewhere. Thoughtful and decisive action by our public officials is needed to protect the thousands who are locked-up, hidden away, unremunerated, and exploited by a system that disregards the most basic of human rights…” See the full letter to Agricultural Commissioner Bronson here

The Rev. Noelle Damico, National Coordinator of the PC(USA) Campaign for Fair Food: “The implication that some modern-day slavery is tolerable is not only morally offensive it actually encourages those who are currently engaging in these horrific practices to continue. It further exhibits a gross disregard for the extreme suffering and incredible courage of farmworkers who labor in and struggle against these brutal circumstances…” See Rev. Damico’s complete statement here

 

Coalition of Immokalee Workers: “… It is incumbent on Governor Crist to clarify — now — whether he shares Mr. McElroy’s perspective that one case of modern-day slavery a year represents a manageable level of exploitation.  We are sure that his answer will be of particular interest to those farm bosses currently holding workers against their will — those bosses whose operations are active case files on law enforcement authorities’ desks today.

But words alone are no longer enough.  Any condemnation of the exploitation of our state’s farmworkers from Tallahassee, if it is to be anything more than political damage control, must be coupled with action.  Governor Crist can begin by demanding that the Florida Tomato Growers’ Exchange end its efforts to nullify the agreements reached between the CIW and the leading fast-food buyers of Florida tomatoes to improve farmworker wages and working conditions.” Read the CIW statement in its entirety by clicking here