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GUESTS: Melody Gonzalez, Student/Farmworker Alliance (SFA), Romeo Ramirez, Farmworker and CIW member

Farmworkers in Florida are launching a new national campaign to end what they call “modern-day slavery” in tomato fields. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers, or CIW, has a history of successful and creative organizing efforts for worker rights. CIW has embarked on a petition drive, calling on major fast food chains like Burger King and others, to improve wages and working conditions, and eliminate human rights abuses. The workers plan to deliver the petitions in a mass procession at Burger King headquarters in Miami later this spring. The campaign was timed to coincide with the the 200th Anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the US. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers are best known for their inspiring and successful four year fight against Taco Bell’s parent company, Yum! Brands.

For more information, and to download the petition, visit www.ciw-online.org.