MARCH TO END MODERN SLAVERY IN THE FIELDS
5-MILE march | saturday, april 2 | 11:30 AM | bradley park | palm beach, florida
Why are farmworkers marching on April 2?
Over a decade ago, farmworkers with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) created the award-winning Fair Food Program, a uniquely successful program of worker-led monitoring and enforcement that has virtually eradicated long-standing human rights abuses, from sexual assault to modern-day slavery, for tens of thousands of farmworkers under its groundbreaking protections.
The Fair Food Program is widely recognized as the new gold standard for protecting fundamental human rights in corporate supply chains, winning acclaim from human rights observers from the United Nations to the White House.
All of the largest fast-food companies — McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, Taco Bell and Chipotle — joined the program a decade ago. All except Wendy’s.
Meanwhile, in fields beyond the Fair Food Program’s reach, headlines across the country show modern slavery on the rise again. Indeed, it has become truly big business.
In one of several recent prosecutions, 24 people were arrested as part of a forced labor conspiracy alleged to have affected 71,000 workers and netted over $200 million in illegal profits in a multi-year operation in the onion fields of South Georgia.
““The conspirators are accused of raping, kidnapping and threatening or attempting to kill some of the workers or their families, and in many cases sold or traded the workers to other conspirators. At least two of the workers died as a result of workplace conditions.””
Traditional corporate codes of conduct and social responsibility audits – the approach to supply chain accountability embraced by Wendy’s – have not stopped these massive, sophisticated new forced labor schemes. In contrast, human rights experts and U.S. government representatives alike have repeatedly singled out the CIW’s Fair Food Program as the most effective weapon for corporations looking to rid their supply chains of modern-day slavery and other longstanding farm labor abuses. And still Wendy’s refuses to follow the example of its fast-food competitors and join the Fair Food Program.
There is no single person more responsible for Wendy’s failure to join the Fair Food Program than multi-billionaire and hedge fund mogul, Nelson Peltz.
Mr. Peltz is not only the Board Chairman of Wendy’s – with his son at his side as Vice Chair – but also CEO of the hedge fund Trian Partners, Wendy’s largest institutional shareholder. And both Peltz and Trian count Palm Beach as one of their homes.
If you’re in Florida, join farmworkers on April 2 in Palm Beach to end forced labor in the fields!
parking suggestions for the march
For a $10 fee, you may be able to find parking at the Governmental Center 4th Street Parking Lot (316 4th St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401). This is where the CIW shuttle will pick up and drop off drivers at the beginning and end of the march. If you drive with a group, please drop them off at Bradley Park (march start) and then park your vehicle at or near the Governmental Center 4th Street Parking Lot. If you have any questions about parking, you can contact Natali at natali@ciw-online.org or call 239-675-9497.
other ways to show solidarity
not in florida? plan a solidarity protest outside of your local Wendy's restaurant
From San Francisco to New York City, Fair Food allies are planning solidarity actions in their own communities in the lead up to April 2, bringing the message of the Wendy’s Boycott to their own local Wendy's restaurants. Organizers with the Alliance for Fair Food will provide resources and support you in all your action planning needs, whether you're thinking of putting together a protest outside of Wendy's or dropping off a manager letter with a few friends.
Help us raise $10,000 to support farmworkers mobilizing to palm beach on april 2
While it might not be possible for everyone to participate in person these days, there are still concrete ways to support Immokalee farmworkers making their way to Palm Beach on April 2. We’re launching a campaign to raise $10,000 to fund a bus of farmworkers from Immokalee to Palm Beach and purchase water and nutritious meals to fuel a day of marching to end forced labor and other human rights abuses in U.S. agriculture.
Have questions? Get in touch with us!
March to End Modern Slavery on April 2 in palm beach, florida
Jordan Lake, jordan@allianceforfairfood.org, 978-995-7200
Uriel Perez, uriel@allianceforfairfood.org, 305-305-1212
Natalia Naranjo, natalia@allianceforfairfood.org, 484-538-0403
Solidarity Actions Across the U.S.
Gabi Piñeros, gabi@sfalliance.org, 754-235-1744
Fundraising Support
Yaissy Solis, yaissy@allianceforfairfood.org, 239-692-1482