The PC(USA) was the first Christian denomination to sign on for the national boycott, the timing of which anticipates the company’s annual meeting on May 26.
“Rather than support Florida growers who uphold human rights under the Fair Food Program, Wendy’s switched its tomato purchases to Mexico, where the denial of human rights in the produce industry was well-documented in last year’s Los Angeles Times expose,” said the Rev. Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) “This is unacceptable, especially from a company that has prided itself on using U.S.-made products. Therefore, the PC(USA) joins the Coalition of Immokalee Workers in calling on Wendy’s to sign a Fair Food agreement.”
“We encourage Presbyterians to join the Wendy’s Boycott National Day of Prayer on May 23, and for those in the area
, to gather outside Wendy’s corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ohio during the annual meeting,” said Andrew Kang Bartlett, associate in the Presbyterian Hunger Program. From yesterday’s article from Presbyterian News Service
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Gerardo Reyes Chavez says the PC(USA) endorsement of the national boycott is great news for their campaign.
“We are appreciative of the hundreds of thousands of Presbyterians who have steadfastly stood beside farmworkers in making our vision of a just and dignified agricultural industry a reality through the FFP,” he said. “Today, Wendy’s has heard the call of farmworkers and Presbyterians together to take responsibility for human rights in their supply chain, and be part of a program that is ensuring justice for tens of thousands of farmworkers across Florida and the East Coast.”
Let us live up to Gerardo’s words and faithfully pray and act in solidarity with the farmworkers. Here’s how:
- PRAY for Wendy’s to join the Fair Food Program and uphold human rights, dignity and justice in anticipation of Wendy’s Annual General Meeting on May 26. Learn more.
- ACT in solidarity with the farmworkers by calling the chair of Wendy’s Board Chair, Mr. Peltz, and urge him to join the Fair Food Program and protect human rights. Download the Bulletin Insert with the phone # and suggested message.
- JOIN the protest outside Wendy’s Annual General Meeting on May 26 in Dublin, Ohio, in person or in prayer.
Contact Andrew to join the delegation or for more information. Facebook event page.
Last week, the PC(USA) Stated Clerk, Gradye Parsons, Tony De La Rosa, Interim Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, Sara Lisherness, Director of Compassion, Peace & Justice, PC(USA) and Carol Winkler, Moderator of Presbyterian Women, signed onto a Faith Letter to Wendy’s.
Download the ‘Presbyterian Partnership in the CIW’s Call to Wendy’s‘ one-page overview of the Wendy’s boycott and Presbyterian involvement.
In addition to the PC(USA) Fair Food site, just today the CIW launched the shiny new Wendy’s Boycott website, where you can find everything else you need to support the campaign.