AMERICAN LEFT HISTORY

This space is dedicated to the proposition that we need to know the history of the struggles on the left and of earlier progressive movements here and world-wide. If we can learn from the mistakes made in the past (as well as what went right) we can move forward in the future to create a more just and equitable society. We will be reviewing books, CDs, and movies we believe everyone needs to read, hear and look at as well as making commentary from time to time. Greg Green, site manager

Friday, March 08, 2019

“This message is for all of the university administrations: We are tired of excuses! We want justice!” Coalition of Immokalee Workers

Coalition of Immokalee Workers<workers@ciw-online.org>

3/6/2019 12:51 PM

To alfredjohnson34@comcast.net

“This message is for all of the university administrations: We are tired of excuses! We want justice!”

Colorful, joyous March for Farmworker Justice overtakes the streets of Carrboro, Chapel Hill!

On Tuesday afternoon, nearly 250 people gathered across from the much-beloved Weaver St. Market in Carrboro, North Carolina, for the March for Farmworker Justice to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, demanding that UNC Interim Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz cut the university’s contract with Wendy’s. As the first major action of the 4 for Fair Food Tour, large and high-spirited groups representing congregations, schools, and communities from across the Triangle Area poured into the streets, waving their flags, banners and signs and marching alongside farmworkers to the heart of UNC’s campus. The two-mile march came to a resounding close with a rally on the doorstep of the UNC administration, featuring speakers including Kerry Kennedy of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, T'ruah Rabbi Eric Solomon from the Beth Meyer Synagogue, UNC student leaders, the NAACP, the Fight for $15, and of course, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers!

Today, we bring you a video and photo report from the day’s beautiful protest, which kicked off what is sure to be a series of powerful actions in the national Boot the Braids Campaign from Ohio to Florida.

Farmworkers from Immokalee and their allies started the day saying goodbye to New Hope Camp; organizing artwork, duffel bags, and sleeping rolls once again for the long road trip to Ohio following the day’s action; and flyering students on campus for the upcoming march and rally.

As the old saying goes, an army marches on its stomach, and it is no different with the Fair Food army. So with lunchtime fast upon them and the march looming, the tour crew turned, as always when in North Carolina, to the one and only Vimala from Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe. Fueled with a warm and hearty lunch, the crew from Immokalee and their local allies grabbed their artwork and readied to march the two miles from downtown Carrboro to the South Building on the campus of UNC, where the university administration offices are housed.

As has been so often the case for nearly two decades now, farmworkers from Immokalee at the head of the march were joined by Kerry Kennedy, Executive Director of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights center and one of the CIW’s most faithful allies.