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Back to Hunger Strike Home Page

VIDEO: On this page you will find the member-produced videos from the CIW media center
documenting the cross-country tour to Irvine, CA, and the hunger strike at Taco Bell 
headquarters.

3/5 Religious leaders intervene -- Hunger strike ends... click here for video (7.7 MB Quicktime)

With a reading of the letter from Arch Bishop Roger Manhony of Los Angeles in the backgroud -- a letter calling on the hunger strikers to end their fast and allow religious allies to take up their struggle across the country -- the video brings you images from the emotional final day of the hunger strike. Of particular interest: Footage of the locked door reception for a delegation of CIW members and religious leaders attempting to deliver the messages of several national religious organizations and 2,000 cards in support of the hunger strike signed by workers in Immokalee to Taco Bell executives.


2/28 Slowrider challenge to Taco Bell at Friday convergence click here for video! (9.5 MB Quicktime - long download, fyi)

Don't miss this incredible video short of the Slowrider performance at the Friday convergence on TB headquarters. A band that you are sure to hear more from with a strong political message, Slowrider rocked the demonstration and surely sent a tremor through Taco Bell's arrogant skyscraper offices.


2/28 CIW Street theater sets spiritual tone for Friday convergence at TB HQ click here for video (9.6 MB Quicktime - long)

This video captures the sense of the powerful theater performed by hunger strikers at the outset of the rally, a theater based on the Brazilian "mistica" (a wordless political drama). The theater follows workers from their homes in Mexico, Guatemala, and Haiti to the hell of Florida's tomato fields and through their victory for Fair Food!


2/27 San Francisco Solidarity Action click here for video (1.8 MB Quicktime)

Second day of hunger strikers on the road in Northern California. Event at San Francisco State in the morning and a community protest in downtown San Francisco at night.


2/26 Cuatehmoc Aztec Dancers perform at the Hunger Strike click here for video (5.8 MB Quicktime)

Aztec dancers came in force to the hunger strike site on Wednesday night, with a powerful drum and a message of thanks for the hunger strikers -- thanks for standing up to the corporations that exploit indigenous people for profits, thanks for setting an example of hope and struggle for the entire community. Needless to say, their message warmed the hunger strikers hearts on a cold night, and you can see a short video of their performance by clicking on the link above.


2/26 Sacremento Solidarity Action click here for video (5 MB Quicktime)

An incredible video from the hunger strikers on the road in Northern California, giving a great idea of the dialogue between workers and students and the unity that will sooner than later make fast food fair food.

This video is a must see!


2/26: JG & Havikenhayes play Centro Cultural de Mexico, Los Angeles click here for the video (11 MB Quicktime)

Another great performance of "Hunger Days" by JG & Havikenhayes at the Centro Cultural de Mexico -- powerful music for a powerful struggle.


2/25: JG & Havikenhayes play LA's House of Blues with Dead Prez - Taco Bell song "Hunger Days" a mad hit!

Hundreds of people who turned out for the Dead Prez concert at LA's House of Blues got a special surprise when JG & Havikenhayes, accompanying the hunger strikers here in CA, performed their Taco Bell boycott hit "Hunger Days"

Click here for the video of the concert...(11.3 MB Quicktime)


2/25: Hunger Strike Begins!

From the Los Angeles Times (2/25/03):

"About 60 tomato pickers from Florida picketed the Irvine headquarters of Taco Bell on Monday and began a hunger strike, accusing the Mexican-style fast-food chain of producing "sweatshop tacos."

Shaking picket signs shaped like tomatoes and Chihuahuas, a dog breed once used in Taco Bell advertising, the farm workers from Immokalee, Fla., protested low wages and a lack of paid overtime and health benefits from the companies that sell tomatoes to Taco Bell.

"Taco Bell doesn't produce fast food," said Lucas Benitez, 27. "Taco Bell produces exploitation food."


2/24: Human Rights School

Yesterday's story is best told by the following short videos, which manage to capture a sense of what has become a remarkable, rolling human rights school as we cross the country! With discussions ranging from modern-day slavery to the struggle for Indigenous rights, Day 2 was an inspiring day of shared experience and analysis that lifted all the caravaners high above our everyday lives and filled us with a powerful sense of the urgency of our fight. Click on the links below to see discussion on:


2/20: "Countdown to the Hunger Strike"

This video includes footage from Immokalee during the days leading up to the Feb. 20th departure and shots from the first day on the road to Irvine, CA, with scenes from planning meetings at CIW headquarters to the festive send-off for the hunger strikers by Bishop Nevins of the Diocese of Venice.

Click here to download (6.1 MB Quicktime)