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NEWS & LETTERS, NOVEMBER 2003‘Break the Bell!’Memphis, Tenn.–Representatives from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) went on a Southeastern Truth Tour, Oct. 3-13, to promote their boycott of Taco Bell. CIW represents immigrant farm workers in Immokalee, Fla. who pick tomatoes for substandard wages. In April 2001 CIW initiated a national boycott of Taco Bell, number one buyer of Florida tomatoes. The tour included stops in Tallahassee, New Orleans, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Memphis, Birmingham, and Gainesville. The CIW addressed hundreds of students at Florida State, St. Edwards U., and the University of Texas. They protested at the Pizza Hut headquarters in Dallas--YUM Inc. owns Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. In Memphis we celebrated the September closing of Taco Bell at the University of Memphis after two years of protests organized by the Women’s Action Coalition. One exciting development is supportive coverage by NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC and the NEW YORKER. The cover story for the September NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC is “21st Century Slaves.” According to Andrew Cockburn, in six separate cases defendants in Florida have been found guilty of peonage and human-trafficking. In the most dramatic case, more than 600 immigrants were being held as slaves. The CIW played a crucial role in bringing the slave camp to the attention of the FBI and gathering witnesses and evidence for the prosecution. After a two-year legal battle, the three ringleaders were sentenced to 34 years in jail. In recognition of their extraordinary work fighting modern-day slavery and their leadership of the national Taco Bell Boycott, three CIW members, Julia Gabriel, Lucas Benitez, and Romeo Ramirez, have been awarded the 2003 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. In the words of the RFK Center for Human Rights: “They have shown the connection between the plight faced by migrant farmworkers in the U.S. and the universal struggle for human rights that is going on all over the world.” Be looking for a CIW caravan coming your way this spring. Spread the Word! Join the Boycott! Break the Bell! More information on the CIW and upcoming events is available at www.ciw-online.org. --Memphis CIW supporter Steve Tammelleo |
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