Farm Workers Protest British Tobacco

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

“Horrific working conditions” for farm workers who harvest tobacco are sparking demonstrations at British Consulates across the country today (Wednesday 4/27), including a 12P demo at the British Embassy in DC. “The inhumane working and living conditions of these farm workers in well-documented,” says Farm Labor Organizing Committee President Baldemar Velasquez. “Half of North Carolina farm workers cannot afford enough food for themselves and their families.” FLOC represents tobacco farm workers in the South, and is targeting British American Tobacco (BAT), which is a major stockholder in Reynolds American, one of the largest tobacco companies in the U.S. Protestors at today’s noontime demo will deliver a letter to the British Ambassador, calling on BAT to take responsibility for the working conditions of tobacco farm workers. Similar protests will be held at the British Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Orlando, and San Francisco, while Velasquez joins trade union and religious leaders from around the world in front of BAT’s London office. NOTE: There will be a free bus leaving the AFL-CIO (815 16th Street NW) at 11:30A, returning by 1:15P; call Michael Szpak at 202-320-1285 for more information.  - photo courtesy FLOC