 Immokalee supporters crowd into the House of Blues. |
It’s not often that people are turned away from a protest rally because of a lack of space. It’s also not often that a protest rally ends up being a victory celebration. But even though the Rally and Concert for Fair Food got moved to a smaller venue and its main mission was accomplished before the event, many still saw it as a successful rallying cry for the rights of fast food’s unappreciated workers.
The event was part of a larger campaign by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to improve the rights of Immokalee tomato pickers. These farm workers in Florida pick for grocers and the fast food industry, but struggle with difficult conditions, few labor rights and wages of less than $10,000 a year. Through boycotts and an aggressive lobbying campaign, they successfully fought Taco Bell and got an increase in wages and rights. The Coalition then turned to McDonalds, who gave into the workers’ demands on Monday.
The victory over McDonalds changed the tone of the rally from one of protest to one of victory. Medill freshman Tara Garcia Mathewson, who helped organize a group of students to go to the rally, said there was still a rebellious feeling.
“It was definitely celebratory, but there was also a determined atmosphere,” she said. “Everyone was already looking to Burger King.”
The lineup for the concert featured a diverse group of bands and styles, from Latin to New Orleans funk. Former frontman for Rage Against the Machine, Zach de la Rocha, headlined the event and also brought a new crowd to the rally.
However, a last-minute threat of inclement weather pushed organizers to move the event from Chicago’s Federal Plaza to the House of Blues, limiting space and leaving many activists and fans stranded outside.
Chicago musician Mars Caulton said she was slated to play on Friday night as part of the rally, but wasn’t contacted about the venue change. She said she was also disappointed that she couldn’t to go inside the rally, and had to lend her support from the restaurant inside the House of Blues.
 The Hot 8 Brass Band performs at the rally. |
“I’ve been with this struggle for a long time,” she said. “It’s a shame that this celebration of a victory against McDonalds turned into a private party.”
Garcia Mathewson said about 20 Northwestern students went together to the rally. Students for Economic Justice helped organize them and had hoped for 50, but the change in motivation and venue forced them to cut it down. Still, Garcia-Mathewson expressed some displeasure that the rally was moved inside and capacity was limited.
“It would have been so much more impressive if the whole community could have gotten behind it.”
SESP sophomore Dan Kaatz said he and some friends wanted to lend support to the workers and hear the Rage reunion, but were instead forced to stand outside before coming into the restaurant to watch the live TV feed.
“[I’m here for] general support plus musical enjoyment,” he said. “We’re obviously displeased, but there’s not much we can do.”
In addition to performances by an array of bands that included Los Vicios de Papa and the New Orleans-based Hot 8 Brass Band, the rally also featured several speakers, from representatives of the Student/Farmworkers Alliance to religious leaders and the president of the AFL-CIO. Still, Garcia Mathewson said her favorite part of the rally was seeing a group of the workers themselves, who took a bus from Florida for the event.
“They gave up a week’s worth of pay,” she said. “It was great that they could see all the support they’re getting.”