Wednesday, April 25th, 2007
Hey Hey NYC–
Well we made it! After 40 hours on the bus and a full weekend of excitement, folks who traveled to Chicago for the CIW’s Truth Tour are back in the big apple.
Groups represented include: Families United for Racial and Economic Equality (FUREE), Make the Road By Walking, IWW Warehouse Workers, Starbux Workers Union, Readnex Poetry Squad, Stonybrook’s Social Justice Alliance, Movement in Motion, Allied Resistance, Regeneracion Childcare Collective, Air America and students from CUNY’s Union Semester program, Sarah Lawrence, Hunter College, Kingsborough Community, New York University and NYU Law.
The weekend’s schedule reflected the shift from preparing for the boycott to celebrating the monumental victory of McDonalds signing the agreement to meet the CIW’s three demands. When we arrived in Chicago, we jumped right into the action by participating in an encuentro and rally. The rally included presentations from Dolores Huerta, people of the faith community and words from the workers of the CIW. The rally concluded with a beautiful theater piece depicting farmworkers’ struggle for dignity and justice in the fields–some of our nycistas even got to be tomatoes!
To end a wonderful day, conference participants broke off into three groups and traveled to three nearby Burger Kings for mini demonstrations, thereby launching the next phase of the CIW’s campaign for fair food. Get out the way, King. Get out the way.
Saturday afternoon, after bus confusion and some logistical savviness, we made it to the House of Blues in downtown Chicago to see hours of thrilling performances by outrageously talented artists and CIW allies. The performance ended with a two minute slide show of some poignant moments of the CIW’s history, quite a trip down memory lane.
Sunday morning bright and early, we said goodbye to our gracious hosts at St. Gertrude’s Church (and their hardwood floors) and got back on the bus. That night our exhausted caravan trekked back into the big apple against torrential downpours but with tummies full of trail mix…
We are collecting photo and video footage from our travels and our weekend in Chicago. So if you have some please be in touch. A documentary is in the works about the McDonalds victory and we are looking to include footage from lots of different people from around the country. We’ll keep everyone posted on media as the campaign moves from the Arches to the King.
For a full report from the CIW, visit their website at http://www.ciw-online.org and don’t forget to check out JJ’s pictures (on the website). There’s some pretty adorable ones of us crazy New Yorkers.
But wait, that’s not all! Fair Food NYC will be throwing a carnival of justice on Saturday April 28th. The carnival will bring back familiar faces that traveled with us to Chicago as well as members of the CIW and the Student Farmworker Alliance and include a rowdy performance by Reverend Billy and his entire choir. Don’t miss out–visit our website http://www.fairfoodnyc.org/category/special/cleanclothes2007/ to find out more info and register for the conference.
In Solidarity,
Fair Food NYC
– Fair Food NYC
http://www.myspace.com/fairfoodnyc
http://www.ciw-online.org
http://www.sfalliance.org
Consciousness + Commitment = Change
Tuesday, April 10th, 2007
Hola Fair Foodistas,
WE WON!
We are extremely excited to announce that McDonalds has indeed signed an agreement stating that they will work with the CIW to meet all three demands! A press release and message from the SFA are below. Now more than ever it’s important to mobilize in Chicago to show McDonalds that we’ve still got our eyes on them, and to tell Burger King and the rest of the fast food industry “You’re Next!”
Two buses full of New Yorkers will be travelling to Chicago this weekend to show our support for the CIW in this historic moment of grassroots organizing. The CIW will also be announcing the next target this weekend so whether you’re in Chicago physically, spiritually or cyberly, stay tuned to the next phase in what is proving to be a monumental campaign.
Love,
Fair Food NYC
* Campaign surges forward with Burger King in its sights!*
Today at The Carter Center in Atlanta, the CIW and McDonald’s announced a landmark agreement to work together to improve the wages and working conditions of the farmworkers who pick Florida tomatoes. After two years of escalating pressure by the CIW and its allies, McDonald’s has agreed to all of the CIW’s demands and more .
The incredible victory demonstrates once again the effectiveness and clout of the alliance between Florida’s farmworkers and students and youth throughout the U.S.
Building off the tremendous momentum, the Campaign for Fair Food now surges ahead at full speed – this time towards Miami-based Burger King.
This weekend’s mobilization in Chicago – where Tom Morello and Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine have just confirmed they will perform together – takes on new significance. Join the CIW, SFA and thousands of allies in Chicago as we take the fight for fair food to exciting new heights!
Check the and SFA sites for analysis and continuing updates on this historic victory and the latest logistical information for this weekend in Chicago.
In solidarity,
Student/Farmworker Alliance
sfalliance.org
ciw-online.org
–
Fair Food NYC
www.fairfoodnyc.org
http://www.myspace.com/fairfoodnyc
www.ciw-online.org
www.sfalliance.org
Consciousness + Commitment = Change
Wednesday, March 21st, 2007
Remember, you can buy tickets for the buses from NYC to Chicago right here (see the big yellow button on the right) or at FAIRFOODNYC (at) GMAIL.COM .
Payment is needed ASAP since we need to pay NOW for buses on the 12th!
See our CHICAGO pages for more details.
Caravaners for Fair Food, Farmworker Justice, and Dignity
Dear Caravaners for Fair Food, Justice, and Dignity –
Thank you for all the amazing work you are doing to bring your communities to join the CIW’s Behind the Golden Arches Tour in Chicago this April! These are exciting times leading up to what promises to be a mobilization of historic proportions. We keep hearing from communities like yours across the country who are mobilizing towards Chicago! Utah, Washington state, and Ohio have recently joined the list of nearly 30 states who will be sending groups to join us in Chicago, and, as you may have already heard, AFL- CIO President John Sweeney just confirmed for April 14th!
Many of you have been asking good questions about logistical, financial, and other issues for the actions. We try to address some of those general logistical issues here. Of course, details are coming together for the mobilization every day, and we will keep you all up-to-date as information becomes available.
Our ability to plan and make the two days of action flow problem-free will depend on us knowing your numbers and arrival times with as much lead time as possible. To help us, we ask that you please fill out the attached “City Form” and email it to:
workers@ciw-online.org
ASAP so that we can get a handle on the numbers and plan accordingly.
For the most up-to-date information, check our website at: www.ciw-online.org/2007truthtour/index.html
APRIL 13-14 LOGISTICS INFORMATION-
Housing: The Chicagoland Advance Team is still working on securing housing (mostly floor space) for all of our Caravaners. The sooner we know your expected numbers, the better we’ll be able to provide housing. Please make us aware ASAP of any special housing needs and note them on the attached City Form. Depending on your estimated arrival time we will have a better idea where your bus/vans should go. We are looking into possible “convergence” sites, where caravans can come and for orientation and materials for the weekend’s events.
Transportation: If you are not coming in a vehicle or bus, we are looking into transportation from Chicago to Oak Brook for Friday’s rally at McDonald’s headquarters in Oak Brook and then back to Chicago that evening. Please note on your city form if you will need transportation. Buses and vehicles will be able to park in a designated space near McDonald’s Headquarters, and we will be in touch with details about where this is.
Saturday’s events in downtown Chicago will begin and end at Federal Plaza, which is accessible by the public transportation in Chicago (the “L” train or buses), which is both easy to navigate and inexpensive. Buses can also drop people off at Federal Plaza and then go elsewhere. More information to come on this front, too.
Networking Opportunities: Many of you coming to the Chicago actions come from organizations leading exciting struggles, and the two days of action are an excellent opportunity to share news of your organizations, campaigns, and upcoming actions with activists from around the country. To facilitate that there will be time for workshops during Planton Esperanza during the morning hours of April 13th and tabling during the afternoon rally on the 14th. If you are interested in tabling or possibly organizing a short workshop, please let us know and indicate this on the city form as soon as possible so that we can make the appropriate arrangements.
WHAT TO BRING-
The following is a suggested list of items that you may need or choose to bring:
- - Spending money for food and public transportation
- - Sleeping bag
- - Change of WEATHER-APPROPRIATE clothes- the weather changes rapidly, so please check the forecast before coming.
- - Personal items and toiletries
- - Towel
- - Noise makers
- - Banners, and protest art
- - Information about the organization you represent
- - Snacks
- -First aid kit
While the CIW is doing everything possible to provide logistical information and support for groups who will be coming to Chicago, we ask that you do as much possible to self-organize your group and also communicate to us any needs you have. … Also, stay tuned for a mobilization guide in the coming weeks.Please let us know if there are other issues you have questions about. We can’t wait to see you in Chicago!
Coalition of Immokalee Workers Student Farmworker Alliance Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida
Tuesday, March 13th, 2007
Tom Morello (aka The Nightwatchman), former guitarist for Rage Against the Machine, has joined Zack de la Rocha, Olmeca, Son del Centro, the Hot 8 Brass Band, Rebel Diaz, and others as a confirmed participant in the CIW’s Carnaval & Parade for Fair Food, Real Rights, and Dignity , April 14 in Chicago!
Tom is just the latest artist to throw his support behind what is quickly shaping up to be an unforgettable weekend, with a jam-packed program full of music, protest, culture, and just maybe a bit of history. Make plans today to join us in Chicago for the April 13-14 mobilizations for farmworker justice! http://www.ciw-online.org/Save_the_date.html
* Check out the 2007 Truth Tour site here: http://www.ciw-online.org/2007truthtour/index.html
Locally, over 60 CIW allies from Chicago, Detroit, Carbondale, and other points in the region gathered in late February for the hugely successful Midwest Encuentro. The weekend featured discussion and strategizing with CIW members, students, and community organizers which laid the groundwork for sustained support for the McDonald’s campaign in the fast-food giant’s own backyard.
* See photos from the Midwest Encuentro here: http://www.sfalliance.org/mwencreport.html
Finally, just in time for the last few intense weeks of education and outreach leading up to Chicago, the CIW has produced two important documents that provide a quick background and supporting facts on farmworker wages and working conditions as well as the Campaign for Fair Food. Go to http://www.ciw-online.org/news.html to download copies and share with friends to help spread the word about the campaign and why the mobilization in Chicago is so crucial.
Thanks,
SFA
organize@sfalliance.org