The CIW “has embodied [the UCC ethos] with clarity, determination, resilience and strength..." United Church of Christ presents the “Movement Maker” Award to CIW! Rev. Traci Blackmon, UCC Associate Minister of Justice and Local Ministries: The CIW “has embodied [the UCC ethos] with clarity, determination, resilience and strength on behalf of farmworkers whose holy work of planting and harvesting benefits us all.” Last week, on June 22nd, thousands of church leaders rose to their feet in a rousing ovation as the United Church of Christ named the Coalition of Immokalee Workers the recipients of their prestigious Movement Maker Award as the General Synod met in Milwaukee. The Rev. Traci Blackmon, Associate Minister of Justice and Local Ministries who hails from the frontlines of Ferguson, explained that this biennial award is given to an external organization that “embodies the ethos that United Church of Christ holds dear as followers of the Way.” Rev. Blackmon continued, “This organization has embodied this ethos with clarity, determination, resilience and strength on behalf of farmworkers whose holy work of planting and harvesting benefits us all.” From left to right: John Dorhauer, General Minister and President; Bernice Powell Jackson, Pastor First United Church Tampa; Gerardo Reyes Chavez, CIW; and Traci Blackmon, Associate Minister Justice and Local Witness Ministries of the UCC Her powerful remarks were followed by those of Florida Conference Minister, the Rev. John Vertigan, who introduced CIW’s Gerardo Reyes Chavez (who accepted the award on behalf of the Coalition) by expressing the Florida Conference’s support for the Wendy’s Boycott, which the 1-million-member-strong UCC has also endorsed. As Gerardo Reyes Chavez took the stage to receive the award for CIW, the joy and determination that had grown from the partnership across eighteen years between CIW and the UCC electrified the room, spilling over into cheers and shouts of acclamation. In his brief remarks, Gerardo expressed CIW’s profound thanks to the church and remembered how eighteen years ago the dream of bringing corporations to the table to realize farmworkers’ rights was still very far away. But with the support of the UCC and consumers across the nation, today fourteen corporations are using their buying power to guarantee workers’ human rights through the Fair Food Program. He encouraged the church in its support of the Wendy’s boycott in what was surely the most tweeted and retweeted phrase at the gathering saying, “suffering doesn’t need to be a part of the food we eat.” Referring to the power of the Fair Food Program’s model that has eradicated modern slavery, sexual assault and other abuses, Gerardo concluded, “We have the key to open the door to a world without victims. Let’s open it together...” Watch CIW's remarks and read more on the UCC Movement Makers Award over at the CIW website! Coalition of Immokalee Workers (239) 657 8311 | [email protected] | www.ciw-online.org Connect with us ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ A copy of the CIW's official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Florida Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352). Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. The website for the Florida Division of Consumer Services is [link removed] Coalition of Immokalee Workers | 110 S 2nd St, Immokalee, FL 34142 Unsubscribe [email protected] About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!