(Santa Cruz - 11 March, 2005) Local organizers and activists celebrate victory in their struggle against Yum!Brands/TacoBell in support of farmworkers.

“El boycott por consumidores es la unica puerta abierta en el pasillo obscuro y vacio por donde los trabajadores agrícolas han caminado por muchos años. Es una puerta de esperanza atravez de donde esperan encontrar la luz de una vida mejor para ellos y sus familias� (Cesar Chavez)

The Comercio Justo Rally and Protest at the Mission St. Taco Bell in Santa Cruz has been transformed into a celebration. Taco Bell has agreed to some of the Coalition Of Immokalee Workers demands and the CIW has called off the boycott. Taco Bell has agreed to a raise of one cent per pound of tomatoes which will mean roughly $20 more per day for farmworkers. Taco Bell has also agreed to work towards improvements industrywide in fast food. Taco Bell is owned by Yum Brand Foods, which is the largest corporation in fast food, bigger than McDonalds. The Santa Cruz Rally will still meet at 3:30 pm at the Mission St. Taco Bell, but will then cross the street and gather at the small park by the Community Garden. The scheduled speakers, including the mayor, will still speak and there will be a discussion and celebration. (4:52) / 4.5 MB)

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An interview with Pete Rassmassen of comercio justo, a student group dealing with social justice and fair trade issues. (30:05)

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Interview with Andrea of Comercio Justo!, a student organization at UC Santa Cruz, about the ongoing solidarity with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the upcoming March against Taco Bell on March 11th in Santa Cruz, California. (14:35 / 13.4 MB)

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