FARMWORKER FREEDOM MARCH

Chicago area allies & others interested in becoming involved with the Farmworker Freedom March: We have allies from NYC coming into Chicago to join the caravan from IL to FL to stand & march in solidarity with the CIW - the narch will begin in Tampa with stops along the way until we reach Lakeland, FL home of Publix...the dates are April 16 - 18, 2010.

This is a major event therefore the more allies we have attending the better!!! Publix will work with the CIW, people power with the truth always prevails!


www.ciw-online.org

PUBLIX ACTION FARMWORKER FREEDOM MARCH

Body: Save the Date - "Farmworker Freedom March," Tampa to Lakeland, Florida, April 16-18, 2010!

....and more from our friends down south.....

The CIW has announced a 3-day "Farmworker Freedom March" from Tampa to Publix headquarters in Lakeland, Florida, this April 16-18, 2010.

Start making plans today to be among the multitude of CIW allies and supporters from every corner of the state and the country who will march to demand, in the words of the CIW, "Freedom from forced labor; Freedom from abuse; Freedom from poverty and degradation."

Visit the CIW site (http://ciw-online.org) today for all the background and details, and contact us for more info on the march and the mobile museum.

PUBLIX ACTION

Chicago allies...we are planning a strategy meeting for the purpose of going to Florida to help out the CIW folks..thinking of in 2 weeks we should meet somewhere easily arrived at by everyone concerned...maybe in the Pilsen Area? Ideas let me know, either here or at my email address: amronh@yahoo.com

...we need to attend this action.....show solidarity as always but the larger the group the better to show Publix that the CIW is serious .... Peace Out Norma

What's Ahead in 2010

According to President Obama January is "National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month"

The proclamation basically states that the United States was created with everyone born as equal, this being an unaleniable right to each and everyone human being the right to freedom! Through the dark years into the light years when President Lincoln outlawed slavery ie human chattel, a war came about but in the end slavery was abolished...or so we thought. Today there is still 'modern day slavery" although hidden for the most part but yet it exists and a committment needs to be made to place a stop on on modern day slavery and human trafficking not only in the United States but worldwide.

... Fighting modern slavery and human trafficking is a shared responsibility. This month, President Obama says he urges all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking.
Additionally that we can and must end this ongoing criminal civil rights violation."

This is only the start of the month and it looks good so far...the CIW along with all allies countrywide, but especially in the Chicago Land area will be working together help in this effort.

For more exciting news and a full article please visit: www.ciw-online.org

Aramark

Yes I know it's that time of year - holiday time is here again, but lets not forget that the Campaign for Fair Food continues to toil year round!

Students and allies across the country continue to protest the fact that at numerous campus' Aramark refuses to discuss the topic of most interest ... where does the food which is consumed at these dining facilites really come from? Specifically the tomatoes? Various studies have shown that these tomatoes come from the Florida fields. Not only the fact that the tomatoes come from these fields but additionally the high price of dining at a campus facility make it a shame that the people who harvest these tomatoes earn so little on a daily basis, and yet corporations such as Aramark are making a profit. Yes - a profit from the back breaking labor of harvesting these crops to bring them to the table. These workers must often work 10 - 14 hours a days in order to earn an approximate wage of $50.00.

Everyone out there who attends a collge, university and/or all allies please do not forget to keep toiling after the holidays to bring the Campaign for Fair Food to the forefront of all Aramark offices on each and every campus nationwide...the CIW/SFA needs all our support year round!

www.ciw-0nline.org or www.sfalliance.org

FRIENDS

Over this past weekend we learned that two of our own were engaged! Melody Gonzales & Luis Rivera.

Melody has worked & lived in Immokalee working closely with the CIW - translating at all the functions and/or rallies. She has been affiliated with the struggle for many years. Melody is now back in California and working with Fair Food Across Borders.

Hector lives in Chicago, he is a strong supporter and ally of the CIW, he along with other friends have formed the the musical group BUYA, which we hope will play at their upcoming nuptials!

Chicago Communities for Fair Food congratulate the couple and know that they will continue with the struggle because after all "La Lucha Sigue" .... Publix & Aramark people power will prevail...sooner or later !!!

www.ciw-online.org

Walk & Rally in Lakeland

This past weekend's Walk & Rally in Lakeland, Florida @ Publix, one of the southeasts major grocery chains was a huge success, 500+ students, people of faith, and allies from across the country turned out for this 2.5 mile walk to show support and solidarity with the CIW/SFA.

Local allies in the Chicago land area headed south for the huge turnout to stand in solidarity and show support for the CIW.

The message to Publix has been that there is no fair market for slavery. Coverage in the newspapers and radio stations in the southeast has been excellent, Publix declared that they do not interfere in a labor dispute, this in fact is not a labor dispute, it is in fact trying to hold Publix accountable for all the advertising that they are family friendly, and help the community; Publix needs to slow down and learn what the actual intent is...stop purchasing from their tomatoes from the suppliers who have been successfully prosecuted in slavery cases.

If Publix continues to refuse to listen and/or work with the CIW, be warned, Publix, the CIW does not back down, this is only the start of the campaign, "People united will never be defeated" and allies from Chicago will continue to make the treke south to help out when needed!


To learn more log onto: www.ciw-online.org