 On the heels of the victorious 2007 CIW Truth Tour, SFA called for two national days of action focusing on the next target in the growing Movement for Fair Food - Miami-based Burger King.
In more than 20 communities across the country, scenes like the one above played out as CIW allies delivered copies of the Burger King manager letter to their local BK Restaurants - a simple, yet powerful showing of support for justice in Florida's fields. |
Outside, meanwhile, flyers were handed out, educating consumers about the brutal conditions in Florida's fields where Burger King gets its tomatoes. This family, pictured on the left, was so taken aback that they spontaneously signed their names to the manager letter. |
Urbana-Champaign allies came out with some great art... |
...and messaging. |
Of course, no day of action would be complete without the participation of our erstwhile allies from Chicago - many of the same people who made this year's incredible Truth Tour and Concert for Fair Food the smashing success that they were.
Unfortunately, some of Chicago's Finest don't seem to be taking well to the "people before profits" message... |
Undeterred, our Chicago friends made their way into the restaurant and delivered their manager letter. |
 For Burger King, literally, the writing is on the wall... |
...and the banners. |
This friendly BK worker took well to the message of fairness for all workers in the corporate food system, from the fields to the table... |
...as the Twin Cities crew delivered their letter. |
As always, DC-area allies representing the Student Labor Action Project, United Students for Fair Trade, and the local DC Fair Food network heeded the call to action. |
These Eckerd College students from St. Petersburg, Florida turned out in force and delivered a clear message - and manager letters - to no less than 3 separate Burger Kings in their community.
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 Not to be outdone by friends further north, CIW members and allies from the Immokalee area also hit the pavement on Saturday, stopping at this BK restaurant for a chat with the manager. It's not everyday a discussion about human rights takes place at your local fast food joint. |
From there, it was on to a spirited rally, where the King himself made an impromptu appearance...Even he had to agree that the world's #2 burger chain can surely afford to pay just one more penny per pound for its tomatoes.
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FInally, the group of southwest-Florida-based Fair Food activists entered the restaurant and delivered their manager letter - representing, really, a cross-section of the CIW's diverse base of support: people of faith, students and youth, and other concerned community members. And just like that, this team had added their own little dent to the crown. |
More and more people have begun to ask this question, held aloft here by CIW member and participant in the 1997-98 30-day hunger strike Domingo Jacinto.
How much longer will Burger King keep its head in the sand, ignoring an idea whose time has come and ignoring the positive steps for farmworker rights already taken by industry leaders Yum! Brands and McDonald's?
One thing is certain: continued actions such as those held this past weekend, from Kansas to California, New York City to Texas, to BK's own backyard in Miami, will help bring Burger King to its senses sooner or later...
Stay tuned for continuing action alerts and details on the 2007 Student/Farmworker Alliance Encuentro as the Movement for Fair Food rolls on! |
