Thursday, March 7, 2013

Press Conference at University Lutheran Church February 22, 2013

Gainesville religious leaders, University of Florida faculty and students gathered at University Lutheran Church on Friday afternoon February 22nd to release a new interfaith clergy letter to Publix and announce the upcoming March for Rights, Respect and Fair Food.  We also introduced a group of thirteen UF students leaving to spend Spring Break in Homestead and learn about migrant worker rights.

Rabbi David Kaiman of Congregation B'nai Israel, Rev. Larry Green of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and Father Les Singleton of the Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Micanopy were among the speakers.

Dr. Samuel Trickey of National Farm Worker Ministry put the struggle for justice for farm workers in the context of more than forty years of effort by so many.  Professor Paul Ortiz read the latest interfaith clergy letter to Publix.

Our friends from Immokalee Claire Comiskey and Oscar Otzoy told of the real gains for workers in the Fair Food Agreement and explained why we must bring Publix to the table.

Marlee Henninge introduced the group of UF students who will spend their Spring Break in Homestead with the Coalition of Florida Farmworker Organizations.