Today, celebrate International Women’s Day by taking action alongside migrant farmworker women to demand freedom from sexual violence in Wendy’s supply chain!
The countdown has begun.
In just three days, nearly 100 farmworkers and allies will set up camp outside the hedge fund offices of Wendy’s Board Chair Nelson Peltz on Park Avenue in the heart of Manhattan. They will gather there to launch a five-day fast to protest Wendy’s unconscionable failure to join the rest of the fast-food industry in fighting sexual violence against women in its tomato supply chain by joining the Fair Food Program.
In preparation for next week’s action, the Fair Food organizing team in New York City has been putting the final touches on the Freedom Fast’s exciting schedule of activities and tallying commitments from local community organizations, women’s rights advocates, unions, students and faith-based groups for the Time’s Up Wendy’s March next Thursday at 5 p.m. at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza. Wrapping up the intensive month-long organizing effort, CIW members Lupe Gonzalo, Julia de la Cruz and Oscar Otzoy will be participating in the NYC leg of the International Women’s Strike this evening, which, in support of the national Wendy’s Boycott, will feature its very own Wendy’s stop along the route of its massive march through Lower Manhattan!
Today, in celebration of the global struggle for women’s liberation, you can make your own commitment to support farmworkers and allies fasting to eradicate sexual violence in the fields! We have assembled a list of five ways you can join thousands of people from across the country in raising the Fair Food banner in the name of farmworker women’s rights!
1) Join thousands of Fair Food activists for the Time’s Up Wendy’s March on March 15 in New York City!
The march will begin at 5 p.m. at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (245 E 47th St) in Midtown Manhattan. Check out the growing list of national caravans leaving from several U.S. cities to NYC for the major mobilization. Register today!
2) Stand with farmworker women by calling Wendy’s Board Chairman Nelson Peltz on Monday, March 12!
As the fast kicks off outside of Mr. Peltz’s offices in New York, the Fair Food Nation is planning to flood his offices with messages calling upon Wendy’s to listen to the demands of the farmworkers and allies fasting outside and join the award-winning Fair Food Program. You can call Trian Partners on March 12 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. at 212- 451-3000. (You can even head over to the Alliance for Fair Food website for a sample call-in script!)
3) Organize a solidarity action at your local Wendy’s from March 11-15!
Plan your own creative action at a Wendy’s restaurant near you to coincide with the Freedom Fast. Whether you organize a picket, march, letter delivery or vigil, your action will help speed the day when we can end sexual harassment and assault in the fields! Please see our Creative Actions Guide for ideas and inspiration. Contact Julian at julian@allianceforfairfood.org to let us know that you’ll be planning your own Wendy’s action.
4) Send in a statement of solidarity for the Freedom Fasters!
Write a few words of support to share with farmworker and ally fasters during the “solidarity hour” at the Freedom Fast site outside of the offices of Wendy’s Board Chair. Local groups or individuals are invited to share their statement in person. If you aren’t able to join us in New York City, we will read your statement out loud during one of the days of the fast, to give a fresh wave of strength to those fasting. Please send your statements and any questions to Patricia at patricia@allianceforfairfood.org by Sunday, March 11.
5) Donate to support the Freedom Fast and Time’s Up Wendy’s March!
Make a contribution to advance the swiftly growing movement to end sexual violence against farmworker women! Every donation goes a long way to strengthen the growing Wendy’s Boycott to bring the world’s third-largest hamburger chain into the Fair Food Program – and to realize farmworkers’ vision for dignity and respect in the U.S. agricultural industry and beyond. Donate today!
The Freedom Fast is just three days away. Take action to support the call for a more modern, more humane food system today in celebration of International Women’s Day, then join us for all the exciting action in the Big Apple next week!