Contacts: Johnny Zokovitch, Pax
Christi USA (352-219-8419); Arnold Nelson, Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) (317-635-3100); Noelle
Damico, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (631-371-9877);
Virginia Nesmith, National Farm Worker Ministry
(314-726-6470); Neil Michaud, Peace and Justice
Office, Diocese of Venice, Roman Catholic Church
(941-255-1353); CIW website: www.ciw-online.org;
PC(USA) website: www.pcusa.org/boycott;
LOUISVILLE, KY – National and regional leaders
of Christian churches have called upon their members
to fast and pray each Friday during Lent for a just
resolution of the Taco Bell boycott. Christians
supporting the boycott have been calling upon Yum
Brands, the world’s largest fast food company,
to address human rights abuses in its supply chain
in partnership with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers
(CIW). The boycott was called in April 2001 by the
CIW, a community-based organization of workers that
pick tomatoes for Florida-based growers.
"We pray that both Yum Brands and the Coalition
of Immokalee Workers would find new energy to renew
serious talks and work together for the just world
God intends” explained the Rev. Dr. Clifton
Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Yum Brands,
based in Louisville, owns Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried
Chicken, Long John Silver’s, A&W Restaurants
and Pizza Hut.
The Christian season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday
and concludes six weeks later with the celebration
of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. “Lent
is a time when Christians seek repentance, reconciliation,
and transformation within human relationships and
within our society,” explained Johnny Zokovitch
of Pax Christi USA. “It is a time when we
ask God to help us change and become the kind of
people and the kind of world God desires. We believe
God cares deeply about whether our economic systems
and business practices ensure the well-being of
all.”
Farmworkers who pick tomatoes for Florida-based
growers labor for sub-poverty wages, receiving 40
– 45 cents for each 32 pound bucket of tomatoes
they pick and haul. Workers wages have remained
unchanged for over 25 years. According to the Department
of Labor, farmworkers earn a median annual income
of $7,500. They receive no benefits and are obligated
to work overtime with no overtime pay.
These egregious working conditions prompted the
CIW to call for a consumer boycott of Taco Bell
that has drawn the support of national religious
bodies including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
the United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ,
the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the American
Friends Service Committee, Alliance of Baptists,
Pax Christi USA and International, and the National
Council of Churches of Christ in the (U.S.A.) whose
membership comprises 36 Protestant and Orthodox
communions whose constituent membership represents
over 50 million Christians in the United States.
The boycott has also been endorsed by Bishop John
J. Nevins of the Diocese of Venice (FL) in which
Immokalee is located and the National Farm Worker
Ministry.
On Saturday, March 12th the Florida farmworkers
will be joined by Martin Sheen, Kerry Kennedy, religious
allies and thousands of supporters as they rally
outside Yum Brands headquarters in Louisville, and
call on the world’s largest fast food company
to take responsibility for human rights abuses in
its supply chain.
##END##
