Fair Food Festival rocks Trader Joe's in NYC ~ @ciw #socialjustice #humanrights #farmworkers

Fair Food Festival rocks Trader Joe's in NYC! Day long protest sends message that consumers ready to "break up" with Joe over hypocrisy, refusal to work with CIW... New York City's Community/Farmworker Alliance put on a creative, fun, and powerful day-long event this past weekend, ratcheting up the pressure in the Trader Joe's campaign and setting off a series of Trader Joe's actions to follow in the month ahead. Go to the CIW website today for a full photo report! A city news blog described the proceedings ("Farmworker's Rights Activists Protest at Trader Joe's," 9/26/11): "... Troupes of locals and representatives from the Florida-based Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) took to the streets to raise awareness about the decade-old campaign. The colorful, peaceful processions were part of a day long Fair Food Festival organized by the internationally recognized CIW and a partner organization based in New York, the Community/Farmworker Alliance. The Commons on Atlantic Avenue served as a hub of educational activities for kids and adults, workshops and home base for rally participants throughout the day. 'We’re very happy to be in New York,' said farm worker Gerardo Chavez, 34, to a crowd at the Commons. 'This is a moment when history is being written for farm workers.'" read more The protest clearly had an impact: "... E. Harris from Crown Heights was waiting for her bus home as the ralliers passed. She admitted she did shop at Trader Joe’s, but expressed concern for the farmworkers and frustration with a long-trusted company. 'I’m disappointed that Trader Joe’s would do that to people who are working so hard. That’s sad that such a well-known company would do that. That’s not even minimum wage – I mean, what is that?'” read more The United Church of Christ also covered the action with an excellent photo report. But if you're going to want to see our photo report, you'll have to click here! Thanks - Coalition of Immokalee Workers

Coalition of Immokalee Workers • PO Box 603, Immokalee, FL 34143 • (239) 657-8311 • workers@ciw-online.org