As a movement allying with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, we find ourselves at a crossroads: With human rights for farmworkers gaining ground in tomato fields up the East Coast and in Florida strawberries, the CIW has launched a boycott of Wendy’s in a struggle to strengthen and expand all we have fought for and won together, with the tremendous leadership of the CIW.
At the same time, we are in merely the second year of the existence of the AFF as an organization seeking to best channel resources to support and connect the ally network to the farmworker-led movement in Immokalee. From Seattle to Miami, from the RGV to NYC, we’re shifting and growing as a network as the CIW grows and shifts, too — and together we continue to dream of and work towards realities of justice and dignity for all in the fields and far beyond. In a society where corporations hold such massive power — not only in the agricultural industry, but in countless arenas — victory in the Wendy’s boycott is essential. And it is not a question of if, but of when.
At this crossroads, we’ve been thinking about how we can best equip ourselves as a movement to win the boycott against Wendy’s and fortify ourselves for the longterm organizing that is sure to follow. For this reason, we’ve decided to call together a Wendy’s Boycott Summit here in Immokalee — a long weekend of working together with CIW to develop short-term and longterm strategy in the national Wendy's Boycott, and building our skills and leadership, all the while growing our connection as a community to the CIW and with each other before we fan out across the country again.
This Summit will build off of the Student/Farmworker Alliance’s annual tradition of holding a fall student and youth Encuentro (and will happen in its stead just this year), and it will bring together people from every corner of our network — students and youth, worker-led and grassroots organizations, people of faith, Fair Food Groups, and people from many walks of life. This weekend is for anyone who plans to actively build support for the Wendy’s boycott in their communities.
If you’re interested in attending the Wendy’s Boycott Summit, please fill out an application — or pass it along to someone who would be interested in attending. We’ll be sending more information in the coming days — but for now, save the date!
We are so excited to welcome you to the heart of the Campaign for Fair Food.
What: Alliance for Fair Food Wendy’s Boycott Summit
Where: Immokalee, Florida
When: September 22-25, 2016
Submit your application!
For more information, contact us at organize@allianceforfairfood.org.
See you in September!
- The Immokalee Crew