The 2008 Encuentro descended on Immokalee like a ton of bricks... or in this case, binders!
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Fortunately, though, the Immokalee crew was not alone in making those last-minute preparations. Each year, the Encuentro is something of a family reunion as old staff members, interns, and veteran SFA'ers return to Immokalee to lend a hand wherever needed.
These "old timers" were joined at this year's Encuentro by an equal number of participants who were setting foot in Immokalee for the first time - a testament to the continuing growth and strength of the SFA network as it nears its 10th birthday. |
As has been the tradition for four years now, our friend Oannes Pritzker of the Yat Kitischee Native Center performed the Encuentro's opening ceremony, setting the tone for a weekend of reflection and analysis on themes ranging from the struggle of tomato pickers in Immokalee to indigenous resistance in the Americas.
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Then it was time to get down to business. Participants took part in a number of varied workshops and discussions, analyzing and making plans around the critical role that young people play in this struggle...
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...from the power we yield as consumers (analyzed in this brandbusting workshop looking at how corporations like Subway and Chipotle use marketing to win our loyalty with flashy ad campaigns)...
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...to the power of our voices, exemplified by two young leaders from the Philadelphia Student Union, who led this workshop on the use of media in successful campaigns for social change.
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photo by L. Emiko Soltis
No visit to Immokalee would have been complete without the participation of the CIW, shown here using some of the same popular education tools they use in the farmworker community to put a fresh perspective on their rich history of struggle...
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...a history that accompanied us throughout the weekend, both in the form of this banner (used in 2000 by the CIW on their first major action outside of Immokalee - a 230-mile march that also saw the formation of a network that would, in time, grow into SFA)...
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...and through the participation of veteran SFA'ers, who stepped into a leadership role to share their experiences from past campaigns and analyze the implications of our past victories as we move forward.
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However, not all participants (particularly the older ones) were able to maintain the same energy all weekend, as demonstrated by these two former SFA coordinators catching some shuteye during a break in the action.
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 After a short break, however, it was time to get back to work, drawing up strategies on how to take down Chipotle and Subway...
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... and collaborating with one another to create a visual representation of a movement in which many pieces fit.
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photo by L. Emiko Soltis
In the midst of all that hard work, however, we found plenty of time to have some fun. As in Encuentros past, we were serenaded almost constantly by the sweet sounds of Son Jarocho music, played by what was undoubtedly the largest group of jaraneros Immokalee has ever seen, who came to us from such distant places as Southern California, Madison, and the Río Grande Valley.
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photo by L. Emiko Soltis
And in addition to Son Jarocho, this duo from Louisville treated us to the sounds of yet another form of poor people's resistance music: Kentucky bluegrass.
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photo by L. Emiko Soltis
But the fun didn't stop there... from this energizing game of serial rock-paper-scissors... |
photo by L. Emiko Soltis
...to an incredible café cultura held in the CIW's brand-new community center... |
photo by L. Emiko Soltis
...where our passion for the struggle and newfound connections to one another were put on full display in the form of dancing, singing and poetry.
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The weekend was brought to a resounding conclusion in that same space, one that will be vital to the aspirations of the farmworker community of Immokalee for many years to come.
Closing words of inspiration were given by several CIW members, both those who have been around virtually since the beginning of the struggle, and others (such as Silvia, pictured at right) who are just beginning to get involved. |
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click on picture for hi-res version |
And now that the floors are mopped, the bittersweet airport dropoffs are completed, and the leftover Fruit Rings have been eaten, it's time - in the weeks and months ahead - to make real the unity, energy and love we felt, the relationships we built, and the commitments we made at the Encuentro as we work to guide the Campaign for Fair Food towards new victories.
This movement has never been stronger. And it will be up to us in the upcoming months to make it clear to Chipotle and Subway that they cannot continue to skirt responsibility for the exploitation of farmworkers in their tomato supply chains. We will begin to make this happen on the upcoming "Chipocricy Tour," during the October days of action, and on a certain quickly-approaching ride on the "Subway..."
One thing is for sure: Chipotle and Subway will be hearing from the youth of this movement.
Will your voice be included?
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