On Saturday, March 8th, 30+ members of the Washington DC based Student/Farmworker Alliance Fair Food Chapter, DC Fair Food, traveled 400 miles to attend the Coalition of Immokalee Worker’s Wendy’s Headquarter Action on their 10 day, 10 city Now Is The Time Tour.
Upon arriving Saturday afternoon, we were able to celebrate International’s Woman’s Day by gathering for a candlelight vigil outside the Wendy’s located in Columbus, Ohio. Women leaders of the CIW spoke about the importance of respecting farmworker rights by joining the Fair Food Program which includes a comprehensive Code of Conduct and Zero Tolerance Policy for physical abuse and/or sexual assault.
Later that evening we all gathering in the Summit On 16th United Methodist Church to celebrate the gathering of allies from all over the country in preparation for a massive march to the Wendy’s Headquarter Store the next morning. We enjoyed good company, delicious food and a community concert.
The next morning we awoke eager to tell Wendy’s CEO, Emil Brolick to continue what he started in 2005 and have Wendy’s join the Fair Food Program and support a New Day for farmworker rights. We marched through the streets of Dublin, Ohio in a crowd of 705+ Fair Food Allies, farmworkers, musicians, people of faith and students from across the country to arrive at the Wendy’s Headquarter store.
Each spring the members of DC Fair Food gather for weeks in preparation to mobilize allies from the DC area to attend the CIW’s spring action. This year was no different, as we outreached to students, people of faith and concerned members of the community. Our delegation included people from Georgetown University, American University, Howard University, George Washington University, Son Cosita Seria, the University of the District of Columbia, Towson University, EarthRights International, Real Food Challenge, McDaniel College, DC Coalition for Immigrant Rights, RENASE (Red Nacional de Salvadoreños en el Exterior) and SOA Watch.
In addition to the outreach, we also successfully fundraised $3,335. Thank you to those of you who have contributed to this movement. Without your support we would not be able to maintain our grassroots fundraising model and it brings us great joy to know that the Campaign for Fair Food has such a strong base in Washington DC. For a full list of supporters click here.
If you are interested in learning more about the Campaign for Fair Food and the work that DC Fair Food does, please consider attending our next community meeting meeting or email us at info@dcfairfood.org for more information.
To view photos from our weekend, visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DCFFjusticia
For a complete report back on the 10 day, 10 city Now Is The Time Tour, visit: ciw-online.org/nowisthetime/
DC Fair Food 