For decades, there have been calls for justice on the industrial plantations – and in the nations that support them – for banana workers. Progress has been spotty, at best, mostly because of a disconnect between those laborers and consumers of the world’s most popular fruit. The Banana Land Campaign is a new effort to create that connection, and – unlike some others – it offers very concrete steps toward that goal. The Campaign is focusing on Colombia, where Chiquita (and possibly Dole) have made payments to terrorists, and where there’s a long history of banana-related bloodshed (see earlier posts on that topic.) Here’s a video from Jason Glaser – director of an in-progress documentary called “The Affected” – and one of the organizers of the campaign.
These are the campaign’s “Six Things You Can Do” to help make the changes that just about anyone who knows banana history need to happen:
1. Sign a petition, here.
2. Write or call Dole and Chiquita’s (Chiquita doesn’t provide a email but you can write them on here) Corporate Social Responsibility Departments and ask them to make meaningful compensation to the victims of AUC (United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia) violence in the banana lands and improve their labor relations. For US citizens: Write your congressperson and Senator. There is already an investigation by Congressman Bill Delahunt of Massachusetts. being pursued in relation to Colombian paramilitary payments made by U.S. companies. However, more pressure is needed if we want to see results. Apathy gets us nowhere, only by demanding action from your government and expressing your disdain for what Dole and Chiquita have engaged in will your government see the value in pursuing this issue. You pay their salaries through your taxes, PUT THEM TO WORK!
CSR Department for Dole:
dole_consumercenter@na.dole.com
Sylvain Cuperlier
Vice President – Director of Worldwide Corporate Social Responsibility
Dole Food Company, Inc.
+33 (0) 1 44 17 30 60
CSR Department for Chiquita:
http://www.chiquitabrands.com/CompanyInfo/ContactUs.aspx
Corporate Headquarters:
Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
250 East Fifth Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202 USA
+513-784-8000
Write Massachusetts Congressman Bill Delahunt and let him know you think it’s important that he continue his investigation into this issue:
William.Delahunt@mail.house.gov
Washington, DC
2454 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-3111
Fax: 202-225-5658
South Shore Office
1250 Hancock Street
Suite 802-N
Quincy, MA 02169
617-770-3700
Toll-Free: 800-794-9911
Fax: 617-770-2984
Cape and Islands Office
146 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
508-771-0666
Toll-Free: 800-870-2626
Fax: 508-790-1959
3. Travel directly to the affected areas in Colombia. Witness For Peace and other groups are beginning delegations to the banana zone. Here you can see first hand what has occurred and work with local experts on coming up with solutions for the affected communities. For more information visit the Witness For Peace Delegations to Colombia website.
4. Volunteer for the campaign and use your talents to help bring a solution for the affected workers and families. We have space for generalists and specialists in tech, public relations, research, outreach, education, networking and more. Are you an artist? Create a piece related to this issue and we will feature it on our website. Only with a dedicated network of volunteers can we make this campaign a success. Contact Brenna McLaughlin at bl.campaign@gmail.com for more info.
5. Support La Isla Foundation through a donation. La Isla Foundation is coordinating the campaign and needs your support. If you don’t have money but have time you can organize a fundraising event for the campaign and the affected communities. No donation is too small, the key to success is broad based support. Contact Jason Glaser at laislafoundation@gmail.com to donate or organize an event. Soon you will also be able to donate directly at: bananalandcampaign.org
6. Eat locally as much as possible. It’s nutritious, it can be a lot of fun, it’s great for getting to know your area and community better and it takes the demand away from industrialized food and the nasty consequences it brings. (Note from Dan: Not so sure on this one, but…)
The campaign will be kicking off December 6, 2009, with a party/premiere at The Harlem School of the Arts in New York City. Open bar, music, and speakers (including me; my talk will almost certainly be made more fascinating by the free drinks.) I’ll have some comments on the campaign’s goals after the event. I hope to meet you there.
Link: Banana Land Campaign website; press release; Facebook group.
