[olympiaworkers] The Coalition of Immokalee Workers announces a major mobilization for farmworker justice, April 13-14, 2007, in the greater Chicago area

1/9/07: SAVE THE DATE! April 13-14...

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers announces a major mobilization for
farmworker justice, April 13-14, 2007, in the greater Chicago area. Make
your plans to join us for historic actions that will usher in a new phase
in the Campaign for Fair Food.

CIW: "Today, we are tired, in the words of Martin Luther King Jr., of
'relying on the good will and understanding of those who profit by
exploiting us.'"

Nearly two years have passed since Taco Bell and the CIW announced an
historic initiative to address the ever-deepening poverty and decades of
degradation faced by farmworkers in Florida. At that time, Taco Bell
challenged its fast-food industry counterparts to join in demanding fair
wages and humane treatment for the workers who pick their tomatoes.

McDonald's, the undisputed leader of the $100 billion fast-food industry,
has refused to meet that challenge. Despite increasing public pressure on
the fast-food giant, McDonald's has refused to recognize the seriousness
of the exploitation of tomato pickers exposed through the Taco Bell
boycott, and refused to work with the CIW to address that exploitation.
Instead, it has taken measures that appear aimed at undermining the
hard-won advances in wages and working conditions established in the
agreement with Taco Bell.

Today, after nearly two years of waiting patiently for McDonald's to join
us in addressing the crisis of human rights abuses and sub-poverty wages
in its tomato supply chain, we are tired of waiting. We are tired, as
Martin Luther King Jr. said, of "relying on the good will and
understanding of those who profit by exploiting us."

Our members and allies feel that it is now time to intensify our efforts.
As such, the campaign is entering a new phase this year, and support from
our allies across the country will be more important than ever. The
action in Chicago this April will mark the first major engagement in this
new phase of the Campaign for Fair Food.

Mark your calendars today and start organizing to bring members of your
community to McDonald's backyard this April to join us in a:

* Major rally outside McDonald's global headquarters in Oak Brook, IL,
Friday, April 13, 2007.

* Carnaval and Parade for Fair Food, Real Rights, and Dignity -
Saturday, April 14, 2007 in downtown Chicago.

We strongly encourage our allies from across the country to join us in
Chicago this April and to participate in the colorful carnaval and parade
action. Groups are encouraged to organize their own floats and
delegations for this action. Contact workers@ciw-online.org for more
info.

ALSO... Be sure to check out all the highlights from last year in the
Campaign for Fair Food. Click here to see the extensive "2006 Year in
Review" from the Student/Farmworker website.