We became familiar with the plight of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers during the national boycott of Taco Bell years ago, from 2001 til Yum! Brands agreed to the workers' terms in 2005. The coalition is a community of Florida farmworkers from various backgrounds (Latino, Haitian, and Mayan Indian immigrants) who strive for fair wages and fair treatment and work to end modern-day slavery.

Currently the workers are working on their Campaign for Fair Food and are asking major players of the food industry, such as Burger King and Austin-based Whole Foods, to recognize the human rights of tomato-pickers and pay a living wage for the work done. One of the activists from this Coalition, Lucas Benitez, will be delivering the opening address at UT's 28th Annual Student Conference on Latin America tonight. From today though Monday, February 11, Benitez and other CIW members will be speaking at Austin-area churches and schools about their work.

[Coalition of Immokalee Workers site]
[Sojourners: 'Slavery, Plain and Simple']
[Back to Reality...: Flickr Photoset]