In all that we do here at Not for Sale our attempt is to go beyond partisan name calling. Raising the level of your voice an octave or three in the name of justice has its place; our overall goal, though, is to create and foster a (business) environment that instills and upholds freedom in all (social) realms. See David’s update from China for one example of what we’re personally doing.
In addition to our actions, we also search out and connect with organizations doing the same. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) also upholds these ideals and standards while coupling their zeal for justice with grounded, well-thought action.
CIW is a Florida-based farmworker organization that has uncovered and assisted the U.S. Department of Justice in investigating and successfully prosecuting five cases of modern-day slavery in the Florida fields in the past decade. For example, one case currently under prosecution, involves tomato pickers who were beaten, chained, and locked inside a U-Haul-type truck. The CIW is also the winner of the 2007 Anti-Slavery International Award, not only for its efforts to uncover cases of slavery but also for its precedent setting agreements with McDonald’s and YUM! Brands (owner of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, etc..) to establish an enforceable code of conduct with zero tolerance for slavery in these company’s tomato supply chains.
We encourage you to join CIW’s National Petition Campaign to End Sweatshops and Slavery in Florida’s Fields by clicking here.
The petition calls on Burger King and other food industry leaders to work with the CIW to establish an enforceable code of conduct with zero tolerance for slavery and improve the sub-poverty wages and conditions faced by the farmworkers. You can also download a PDF of the petition to collect signatures in your community, church, or school by clicking here.
Last, check out Not for Sale’s Freedom Store where you can uphold the network of goods created by slavery survivors through your purchases.
