Religious Community Letter to Governor Crist

Thousands of people of faith signed the following letter to Gov. Crist. The signatures were delivered on March 9th and two days later, Gov. Crist agreed to meet with the CIW. A meeting is set for March 25th.

Dear Governor Crist,

We write you today as people of faith who are deeply concerned with the modern-day slavery rings and grinding poverty faced by Florida’s farmworkers.

On Friday, December 19th, farm labor supervisors were sentenced in federal court for enslaving tomato pickers, including beating, chaining, and locking them inside a truck at night. Unfortunately, this case is not the only one; since 1997, the U.S. Department of Justice has successfully prosecuted seven cases of slavery involving well over 1,000 farmworkers in Florida. Additional cases are currently under investigation. Furthermore, those farmworkers who are not enslaved toil long days with frequent abuse and sub-poverty wages; tomato pickers have not received a real wage increase in three decades.

Fortunately, there is hope for eliminating slavery and ensuring a future of dignity in the fields. Yum! Brands, McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway and Whole Foods Market have all reached precedent-setting agreements with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) to improve tomato pickers’ wages and enforce codes of conduct for fair conditions in the fields, including zero tolerance for modern-day slavery. Yet, while the marketplace has recognized basic standards of fairness, the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange has blocked the implementation of these agreements.

Our religious traditions share a commitment to the dignity and freedom of every human person, and we believe you do as well. The Ten Commandments teach us that faithfulness to God involves fairness to all peoples in our society, and that we are to be as concerned for the wellbeing of our neighbors as we are for our own selves and property. The continued existence of slavery in our day attacks the very soul of our society, calling every one of us to awareness and action.

Therefore, we are asking you to take a leadership role in ensuring that Florida’s farmworkers can live and work freely and with dignity. We urge you to meet with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to discuss ways to eradicate slavery and abuses from Florida’s fields. We call upon you to urge the Florida tomato industry to participate in the CIW’s agreements with fast food and supermarket companies. We believe all of us working together can ensure zero tolerance for slavery and establish fair wages and working conditions for tomato pickers.

Sincerely,
The Rev. Kent J. Siladi, Conference Minister, Florida Conference, United Church of Christ
Bishop Timothy Whitaker, Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
The Rev. Graham P. Hart, General Presbyter, Peace River Presbytery
The Rev. Dr. Arlene Wallace Gordon, Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Tropical Florida
The Rev. Dr. Paul K. Hooker, Ph.D., Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk, Presbytery of St. Augustine Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
The Rt. Rev. Leo Frade, Bishop, Episcopoal Diocese of Southeast Florida
Bishop Chuck Leigh, Apostolic Catholic Church
John R. Powers, District Superintendent, Gulf Central District of the Florida Annual Conference, United Methodist Church

Pax Christi USA
Edith Rasell, Ph.D., Minister for Workplace Justice, Justice & Witness Ministries, United Church of Christ
Joseph D. Keesecker, Executive Director, Agricultural Missions, Inc.
Dave Robinson, Executive Director, Pax Christi USA
Johnny Zokovitch, Director of Communications, Pax Christi USA
National Farm Worker Ministry in Florida
Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston
The Poverty Initiative, New York, NY
The Leadership Council of Beth Hillel Temple
The Session of Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church
Unitarian Universalist Church of St Petersburg
The Gainesville Catholic Worker Community

Fr. Paul J. Kane, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, Pompano Beach, FL
Rev. Kathryn M. Schillreff, Rector, St. Monica's Episcopal Church, Naples, FL
Rev. Elizabeth M. Deibert, M.Div., Pastor, Peace Presbyterian Church, Lakewood Ranch, FL
Neil D. Michaud, Director, Peace and Justice Office, Diocese of Venice in Florida
Rev. Dr. Laurinda Hafner, Coral Gables Congregational Church, Coral Gables, FL
Rev. Dr. Dale Kent, Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ, Sanibel Island, FL
Dr. Ronald M. Patterson, Senior Minister, Naples United Church of Christ, Naples, FL
Rev William T Scott. Jr, United Church of Christ
Rev. Rodney G. Snedeker, Largo, FL
Rev. Alan Clapsaddle, Associate Pastor for Social Justice First United Church of Christ of Orlando, FL
Rev. Dr. Richard T. Diekmann, First Congregational Church, Port St. Lucie, FL
Rev. Doc. Jeanette Sherrill, United Church in Tallahassee
Rev. Helen R. Heffington, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. John Cox, OMI, Pastor, Catholic Churches of Holy Redeemer and St. Francis Xavier, Miami, FL
Rev. Kennedy McGowan, First Presbyterian Church, Hollywood, FL
Rev. Millie Slack, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Dr. James Boler, United Church of Christ, Ft. Myers, FL
Rev. Sandra Boler, United Church of Christ, Ft. Myers, FL
Rev. Richard Williams, Agape House at University of Illinois at Chicago, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. Robert J. von Trebra, Lyonsville Congregational United Church of Christ
Rev. Thomas Brenner, United Church of Christ
Rev. Allison Farnum, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ft. Myers, FL
Anthony P. Vinciguerra, Director of the Center for Justice and Peace, St. Thomas University
Sr. Elise D. García, OP, Adrian Dominican Sister
Fr. Tom Smith, OFM, St. Rita Parish
Fran Lombaer, OP, Adrian Dominican Sisters
Sr. Jean Denomme, Adrian Dominican Sisters
Sr. Nora M. Nash, OSF, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Sisters of St Francis of Philadelphia
Rev. Alan C. Taylor, Senior Minister, Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Rev. Christian Iosso, Louisville, KY
Rev. Daniel Dale, President of the Board, Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN)
Brad S. Lutz, M.Div. Pastor and Teacher, Union Congregational United Church of Christ
Rev. Donald S. Daughtry, United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. Martha Scott , Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church
Rev. Garnett Day, retired Minister, Christian Church Disciples of Christ
Sr. Michele Kopp, OP, Adrian Dominican Sisters
Sr. Corinne Florek, OP, Adrian Dominican Sisters
Sr. Lois Mary Rochon, Adrian Dominican Sisters
Sr. Rosemary Finnegan, O.P., Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Winter Park, FL
Sr. Sara Fairbanks, O.P., Adrian Dominican Sisters, Miami, FL
Rev. David H. Evans, Episcopal Church
Thomas L. Garlitz, Director, Peace and Social Justice Ministry, Catholic Diocese of Joliet in Illinois
Tom McCaney, Associate Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia
Rev. Michael Harper, Lely Palms Chapel & NCH Chaplain Director of Pastoral Care, Naples, FL
Rev. Mary Bettis Love, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Dan Fullerton, Minister member, Grace Presbytery, Presbyterian Church, USA
Rev. William B. LeMosy, Minister of Word and Sacrament, Presbytery of Des Moines, Presbyterian Church USA
Rev. Dr. Leonard B. Bjorkman, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. John R. Long, DD, Pastoral Associate, First Presbyterian Church, Buffalo NY
Rev. Paul Jean , Immokalee Church of Nazarene
Rev. Jose Olagues, Presbytery of Grand Canyon, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. Craig M. Holderbaum, Minister of Social Justice, The Light House Chapel; Deacon, Apostolic Catholic Church
Rev. Phil Lersch, Church of the Brethren, St. Petersburg, FL
Rev. Suzan S. Holderbaum, Apostolic Catholic Church
Sr. Ethel Howley, Roman Catholic School Sisters of Notre Dame
Sr. Sheila Kinsey, OSF, Leader of the Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Office, Wheaton Franciscans
Rev. Dr. John G. Taylor, Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.
Rev. Dr. Garth R. Thompson, Miami Beach Community Church
Sr. Mary McCauley, BVM, Sisters of Charity
Sr. Mary Schoberg, IHM, Director of Adult Faith Formation, Annunciation Catholic Church
Martha Napior, O.P., Adrian Dominican Sisters
Sr. Rose Sevenich, OSF, Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi
Sr. Dolores Gergen, OSF, Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi
Sr. Verna Kayser, OSF, Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi
Sr. Lois Justen, OSF, Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi
Rev. Charlie Hughes
Rev. Elisabeth K. Simpson, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Glen Cove, New York
Sr. Bette Gambonini, BVM, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Mary Kay Dum, BVM, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Marie Corr, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Marge Clark, BVM, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Carol Spiegel, Sister of Charity, BVM
Sr. Yvonne Mattioli, BVM, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Rose Marie Lorenzen, BVM, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. M. Angele Lutgen, BVM, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rev. Marda Messick, St. Stephen Lutheran Church
Rev. Edgar A. Brandt, President, Board of Directors, Oregon Farm Worker Ministry
Sr. Theresa Gleeson, BVM, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Dolores Becker, BVM, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Jane Haslwanter, BVM, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Carol Coston OP, Co-Director, Santuario Sisterfarm
Sr. Marlene Bertke, OSB, Benedictine Sisters of Erie, PA
Sr. Benita Coffey, O.S.B., Roman Catholic/Benedictine Sister
Sr. Mary Therese Freymann, BVM, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Karen McFadyen, Methodist, Orlando, FL
Mercedes Iannone, Coordinator, Graduate Programs in Ministry Saint Thomas University
Jessica Bass, Yale Divinity School
Alma B. Manney, St.Luke's United Methodist Church, Orlando, FL
Loy Robin Tetzloff, First Congregational Church, Downers Grove, IL
Ali Escalante, St. Luke's Catholic Church, Coconut Creek, FL
Andres Castillo, St. Augustine Catholic Church, Gainesville, FL
Barbara B Myrick, St. Monica's Episcopal Chruch, Naples, FL
Barbara Glasgow, President Elect, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples, FL
Bobby Lee, New Haven, CT
Carolina McCabe, St. Williams Catholic Church, Naples, FL
Carolyn Duncan, Village of Golf, FL
Cathy Rowan, Bronx, NY
David B Bell, Yakama Christian Mission, Disciples of Christ
Diana Burnett, New Haven, CT
Diane M. Jansen, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Port Charlotte, FL
Dianne G Sizemore, Elder and Mission Chair, First Presbyterian Church, Punta Gorda, FL
Edward Sunshine, Miami Shores, FL
Ellen Adajian, Baltimore, MD
Gustavo Reynoso and Mary Ann Reynoso, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Charlotte County, FL
H. Eugene Wine, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami, FL
Hilary Harris, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Louisville, KY
James T. Beck, Secular Franciscan Order, Sarasota, FL
Jim and Susan Cline, Key Largo, FL
Jimmie King, Neighbor to Neighbor Outreach
Johnny Barber, Buddhist Peace Fellowship
Joyce Shelso, Grace United Methodist Church, Venice, FL
Judith Kraft, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Boca Raton, FL
Kate Walsh, Montclair, NJ
Larry Siegel
Lillian Z. Rea, Hope United Presbyterian Church, Ft. Myers, FL
Lissa Perr, Associate of the Adrian Dominican Sisters
Mary L. Edmunds, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Sarasota, FL
Mary O'Herron, Fraser, MI
Mike Ferreira, St. Petersburg, FL
Nancy Clasby, Coral Gables, FL
Natalie Boydstun, Gainesville, FL
Norma L. & Peter Jackson
Rashima Gordon, Tampa, FL
Robert C. & Ann M. Luther, Lake Suzy, FL
Ruth Farrell, Coordinator, Presbyterian Hunger Program
Scott E.Heffington, Presbyterian
Suzanne Bradbeer, St. Bart's Episcopal Church, New York City
Theodora McKennan, Adrian, MI
Theresa Sinnamon
Susan Valdes-Dapena, Peace & Restorative Justice Community Church of the Holy Trinity, NYC
Ewa Dziuk, Northfield, IL
Sandy Irving, Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC
Jill Acree, First Presbyterian Church
Doris Henderson, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C.
Sylvia P. Volk, Westminster Presbyterian Church Mission Outreach TEAM member, Buffalo, NY
Howard Henry, University Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, NY
Suzanne Lindgren, East Valley Presbyterian Church
William Koeppe, Resurrection Catholic Church, Lakeland, FL
Jean Lersch, Church of the Brethren, St. Petersburg, FL
Kristine Neumayer Jenkins, Cape Coral, FL
Hector R. Rodriguez, Pastoral Leader, Tres Santos Reyes; Coordinator, Latino Ministry, Diocese of Maryland
Sr. Carol Cook, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Judith B. Mooers, Union Congregational Church, West Palm Beach ,FL
Charles and Voncile Rosenberger, Arlington Congregational Church, Jacksonville, FL
Nancy Ross, American Baptist Churches, USA
Doreen Der-McLeod, Presbyterian Church in Chinatown
Sr. Francilla Kirby, BVM, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Carolyn Kindell, Tallahassee, FL
Mary Ann Krems, Associate Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Barbara Vega, Lauderhill, FL
Bob Rankin, St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church
Nathan Ballentine, Faith Presbyterian Church, PC(USA), Tallahassee, FL
Marcia Torpey, St. Bernard Catholic Church
Joseph Skelley, Torrance, CA
Sharon Senn, Milwaukee, WI
Sharon Thyne, Catholic, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
Virginia Johnson, Milwaukee, WI
Susan Skoglund, First Presbyterian Church, San Bernardino, CA
Murray Milner, Jr., Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, VA
Jean Vieten, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Anne Buckley
Margaret Hebert, Salina, KS
Sr. Margaret Nolan, BVM, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Diane Melidosian, Stony Brook, NY
Miss Susan Collins, St. Matthew Catholic Church
Louise K. Davidson-Schmich, Lutheran, South Miami, FL
Mary Moran, Plantation, FL
Irene Senn, West Allis, WI 53219
Lew Perry, North Venice, FL
Pam Perry, North Venice, FL
Mary Dostal, Billings, MT
Randall Keesler, St. Aloyius Roman Catholic Church
Susan M. Wedekind
Alan N. Connor, Ann Arbor, MI
Trinidad Sensenig, St. Raphael Catholic Church
Evalee Mickey, North Liberty, IA
Katrina Brink, Liberty, MO
Dana Perrin, MD, Dover, FL
Marie D. Hoff, Ph.D, Bismarck, ND
Maureen O'Connell, Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church Community and Pax Christi Florida
Amy Finn-Schultz, Jacksonville, FL
Patrick Finn-Schultz, Jacksonville, FL
Kathleen Murphy, Minneapolis, MN
Adela Gross, Franciscan Sisters
Terence McCorry, Director of Campus and Young Adult Ministry Catholic Relief Services & Limex Liaison, The Diocese of Palm Beach
Cornelia A Sullivan, Pax Christi, Boston
Mitchell Doshin Cantor, Sensei, The Southern Palm Zen Group
John P MacFadyen, St Ann Church, West Palm Beach, FL
Robert Barat, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Community, Daytona Beach, FL
Rose W. Keane, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Community, Daytona Beach, FL
Maggie Dostal , Austin, TX
Robert A. Marzullo, Shoreline, WA
Christopher Wiren, Disciples of Christ
Martha Swan, Westport, NY
Jeanette Denton, Bethlehem, PA
John Stewart, Pax Christi
Sheila Stewart, Pax Christi
Rosemary Rockwell, Bloomington, MN
Kay Arnold, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church & Pax Christi, Austin, Texas
Maureen Kurtz, Ascension Catholic Community
Lois Mills, St. Jamews Catholic Cathedral
Sr. Nancy Marie Jamroz, CSSF, Vice President for Student Services and Mission Integration Felician Sisters
Mary Smith, Elmira, New York
Father John Atkinson, Cordova, Tennessee
Kelly Epstein, Spring, Texas
Rev. Dr. Michael McElwee, Ascension Catholic Church, Melbourne, Fl
Elisabeth B. Frey, Pastoral Associate Church of the Resurrection, Solon, Ohio
James Andrew Rome, Stow, Ohio
Mary Froehle, Hollywood, FL
Sr. Jan McNabb, Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, New York, New York
Sr. Patricia Dorobek, SND, Director of Campus Ministry of Thomas More College Hills, KY
Patricia Dorobek
Mary A. Bodde, SC, Mt. St. Joseph, Ohio
Fr. Daniel R. Fickes, St. Therese Catholic Church, Garfield Heights, Ohio
Mary Kaye Nealen, Great Falls, MT
Sr. Beth Davies, Congregation of Notre Dame, St. Charles, Va
Jane Tucker, Tequesta, FL
Rosemary Everett, SNJM, Cupertino, CA
Sr. Nancy Surma, OSF, PhD, Sylvania, OH
Cheryl W Grossman, Austin, TX
Mykel McLaughlin, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Sara Carlson, Evangelical Covenant Seminarian, Des Moines, Iowa

Over 6,000 clergy and people of faith signed paper copies of the letter that were sent in to Gov. Crist as well.