L.A. area contributions to the Taco Bell Boycott Campaign National 3 Days of Action.
The Student-Farmworker Alliance called for Three Days of Action to take place nationally in support of the Taco Bell Boycott Campaign, and in solidarity with the farmworkers of Immokalee, Florida who pick the tomatoes that Taco Bell purchases. Events are building in anticipation of the March Truth Tour, during which 70 farmworkers will cross the country and join events organized by supporters, until they reach Southern California where they will march with thousands of activists, community members, students, and union members to the corporate headquarters of Taco Bell with the demand for a meeting and negotiations.
The Truth Tour Planning Group organized two protests for the days of action. The first was Thursday, November 29 at the Colorado Blvd. Taco Bell in Pasadena. "Justice" burritos were served by protesters as an alternative to the unjustly created chalupas that were contributing to indigestibility just yards away. Community members parked their cars and joined protesters in flinging tomatoes at the chihauhau bullseye. Despite rain, wind and cold, 20 people from the community, Pasadena City College and Glendale College chanted, marched and discussed the issue with passersby. Several former customers chose to forego the bell to dine on "Justice" and join the protest. One drive-through victim read a flyer as he was exiting, then circled back through to return his purchase, and receive a refund.
Friday, November 30 was the protest at the Taco Bell in E.L.A./Monterey Park. Although it started quietly, this event built to a loud and active final 90 minutes. The 30 participants were community members and students from Psadena City College, Cal State L.A., USC, and UCLA. Five youth who were passing by picked up picket signs and joined the line. As always, this community was enthusiastically supportive by honking car and bus horns, asking for flyers and backing out of the drive-through after talking with protesters (no one kept count after the 10th car).
www.ciw-online.org is the best source for information on the boycott, the upcoming Truth Tour and the activities that are taking place nationally in support of the Three Days of Action.
For information on the L.A. Truth Tour Planning Group, email truthtourplan@yahoogroups.com
Original: Taco Bell Boycott Protests