This unassuming Burger King at a busy downtown Miami intersection recently became the scene of a spirited protest by the CIW, SFA, and Miami-area allies. This action, part of a series of actions taking place this summer in BK's own backyard, kicked off bright and early to greet the morning rush hour traffic with the message of Fair Food.

(Click here for local news coverage and a photo slideshow.)

The early start didn't dampen anyone's spirits, though, and numbers quickly swelled as more Miami allies joined the action, including many old and new friends. Students, young people, union members and representatives from the faith community all came out to stand together with Immokalee's farmworkers and their just demands of Burger King.

Countless commuters, passerbys, and BK customers were made aware of the deplorable conditions in which Florida farmworkers still toil to bring tomatoes to the tables of huge chain restaurants such as Burger King.

Hundreds of flyers, dozens of conversations, signs and chants conveyed the clear message of Burger King's role in perpetrating - and the opportunity that it has to help end - farmworker poverty.

Why, that's no ordinary customer exiting the Burger King... in fact, it's none other than high-level BK executive Steve Grover, once again taking some time from what must be a very busy schedule to pay a visit to these Fair Food activists (According to one eyewitness, he had been sitting in the Burger King since at least 7:30am...)

Here, Grover chats it up with members of the Catholic community and local Interfaith Worker Justice committee and tries to explain - unsuccessfully - why Burger King continues to stand on the sidelines of history instead of taking the simple steps already taken by Yum Brands and McDonald's to improve farmworker wages and working conditions...

...conditions which include, in the 21st century, cases of slavery and forced labor, as the sign held by this UNITE-HERE member alludes to. One would think that guaranteeing to your consumers that the product they sit down and enjoy at your restaurants isn't a result of this type of egregious human rights violation might be important for such an image-conscious company such as Burger King...

In addition to faith and labor allies, Miami students and youth of course also came out, adding their great music, visuals, and energy to the action. Speaking of students and youth, we'll be back in Miami - at BK Headquarters - with a slightly larger group this August 31 as part of the SFA Encuentro.

Indeed, one more penny per pound is what we are demanding, surely not too much to ask of a King. And until the King comes around and does the right thing, we're not going away. Check out our resources section for tools you can use to bring the Campaign for Fair Food to your community, and if you're in the Miami area, come out and join us at these upcoming local BK actions:

• Sat, July 28, 11:30am: Burger King at Sheridan & 46th in Broward County

• Thurs, Aug 2, 12pm: Burger King at 5721 NW 7th St. in Miami followed by march & delegation to BK Corporate Headquarters

• Sat, Aug 25, 11:30am: Burger King at Stirling & 95th in Broward County

• Fri, Aug 31, lunchtime: SFA Encuentro & Miami allies action at BK Corporate HQ