Day One: Photo Report
East Ft. Myers to North Ft. Myers

The Fair Food movement towered over Ft. Myers today as marchers wound from one end of the city to the other on Day One of the March for Rights, Respect, and Fair Food.

The day began with a mass at Jesus Obrero Catholic church in East Ft. Myers, where the CIW and their allies were received with extraordinary warmth by the congregation and by Father Patrick O'Connor, who previously served the church in Immokalee before moving to lead the Jesus Obrero parish.

Father Patrick called the marchers to the front of the church, where members of the congregation handed them candles symbolizing the congregation's prayers for the marchers health, safety and success over the coming two-week trek.

The marchers left their individual candles with the church under a banner reading "Justice," where they would be lit every day until the marchers reach their destination safely.


But as they filed outside for the launch of the march, the CIW march crew took one candle with them, to accompany them every step of the way to Publix headquarters in Lakeland.

The marchers then lined up and, following a few last announcements and well wishes, slowly made their way out of the church and into the streets of East Ft. Myers, banners waving and spirits soaring.

Then, as the marchers said goodbye, and a heartfelt thanks, to Father Patrick and members of his flock who joined them on the route for the first several blocks...

... reflection turned to action, and the March for Rights, Respect, and Fair Food got underway in earnest.

The marchers were guided on their way by the statue, which bears the sun of the New Day dawning in Florida's fields on her shoulder and the book of human rights that all workers in Florida's tomato industry today receive when they are hired...

... and by the tireless team of four men and women that bore her aloft at the head of the march...

... to their destinations on Day One, which included a a visit to the flagship Publix store in downtown Ft. Myers...

... where they held a raucous protest for nearly an hour and sent the unmistakable message that not only would the March for Rights, Respect, and Fair Food engage consumers across the state in a two-week dialogue on the role of Publix in sustaining farmworker poverty, but it would turn that awareness into powerful action in towns and cities along the entire 200-mile route. Check out a short video of snapshots from Day One's action here.

Next was a trip across the Caloosahatchee River...

... which brought unforgettable views of the skyline of Ft. Myers at the march crew's back, and equally unforgettable smiles to the marchers' faces.

Once across the river, the marchers looked forward to the end of a long, but joyous, Day One...

... and once safely tucked into their home for the night at Faith Presbyterian Church in Cape Coral, they gathered following a delicious dinner to plan for the next day's events. Check back soon for a longer video recap of Day One's action and for all the news from the March for Rights, Respect, and Fair Food!