Week of Success! Fight for Fifteen, Boycott Sprouts, and EIR Lawsuit!

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK!


* WEDNESDAY 4/15: HOP ON THE BUS! #Fightfor15 and #BoycottSprouts

On April 15th, urban farmers from the UC Gill Tract Community Farm, Occupy the Farm, other food and climate justice communities, and fast food workers joined together to challenge industrial agriculture and fast food corporations, build worker power, and fight for complete transformation of the food system.

FIRST STOP: 8am, Fight for Fifteen action at McDonalds in Oakland

Fast Food workers, farmers, and UC students took action at a local McDonalds at 8am, in conjunction with Fight for Fifteen actions happening all across the country, to demand $15/hour and a union. Using creative street theater disruptions, speakers, a banner drop, and pickets, organizers shut down the corporate fast food outlet and supported workers walking out on strike. At the drive-through shut down, we distributed free burritos made with veggies from the UC Gill Tract Community Farm.

12pm, Sprouts “Farmer’s Market” Grand Opening in San Rafael

After morning actions, fast food workers hopped on the bus with us for the Boycott Sprouts action at the grand opening of a Sprouts “Farmers Market” in San Rafael to protest the greenwashing, union-busting corporate supermarket’s plans to pave the historic Gill Tract Farm. Sprouts is known for their low pay, labor violations and union-busting –these workers also deserve $15/hour and a union. The action included pickets, speakers, and music.

Check out amazing photos from Peter Menchini and Kelly Johnson Revolutionary Photography!

During our jubilant ‪#‎boycottsprouts action, we caught wind of another protest against a Sprouts development, happening that same day out in a small town in Napa. Some OTF organizers headed out to the agricultural community, where local community members are also protesting a local school selling off their land to a Sprouts development.

Check out their website and sign their petition.

Here's an example comment you could leave along with your signature on the petition: "I stand with the Napa community as an ally from the Boycott Sprouts campaign (http://www.BoycottSprouts.com). Sprouts is a big-box, commercial supermarket that calls itself a "Farmers Market" while paving over our historic farmland at the Gill Tract. I stand with all communities across the country who are protesting against this environmentally-devastating Sprouts chain, and undemocratic development projects."


* TUESDAY, APRIL 14: EIR LAWSUIT WENT TO TRIAL

A Chance for Justice for the Gill Tract Farm

"Civil rights lawyer Dan Siegel, representing the community, argued that the point of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is to guarantee the public the right to information on the environmental impacts of development projects. He argued that the EIR’s failure to provide data on alternatives impinged on Albany citizens rights, prohibiting them from advocating for a project with less environmental and health impacts."



* COMING UP!

EARTH WEEK AT THE GILL TRACT!

Join us at the Gill Tract Community Farm as we recognize the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day with a two day celebration of farming, workshops, music, and fun in the spirit of the 45 year history of the Gill Tract Farm.


4/25 10-5pm
The Polish Ambassador, Ayla Nereo and the Permaculture Action Tour return to the Gill Tract!

* Gopal Dayaneni * Penny Livingston * Art Ludwig *
* Music * Workshops * Farming * Food *


4/26 10-5pm
Birthday Party for the Gill Tract Community Farm Project


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