Rev. Billy and Pastor Mansfield Visit New York City Wine & Food Festival to Protest Chef Terrance Brennan
Submitted on Mon, 10/13/2008 - 8:52pm
Contact: press (at) brandworkers.org
October 13, 2008
Rev. Billy and Pastor Mansfield Visit New York City Wine & Food
Festival to Protest Chef Terrance Brennan
New Voices Add Support to the Campaign for Worker Dignity at Wild Edibles,
Inc.
New York, NY- Reverend Billy, a nationally-respected advocate for
responsible consumption and Pastor Jeff Mansfield, a leading voice for food
justice at Judson Memorial Church, joined with Wild Edibles workers and their
supporters this weekend to protest chef and restaurant owner Terrance Brennan at
the New York City Wine & Food Festival. Brennan's Artisanal Bistro lied in
writing by stating that it was no longer serving seafood processed by the Wild
Edibles sweatshop when it in fact did continue to serve Wild Edibles
products.
"Mr. Brennan, honor your word," exclaimed Rev. Billy into a megaphone
during a sidewalk sermon in front of the food festival panel featuring Terrance
Brennan. "[The Wild Edibles workers] don't want to work in a sweatshop. Even
celebrity chefs have to do the right thing."
Wild Edibles workers and supporters handed out leaflets to festival
attendees featuring Terrance Brennan's portrait and an explanation of the
deception carried out by his restaurant company. Protesters were also treated
to a champagne toast, just like the guests at the event, with the message that
working families deserve the best.
"We've been fighting for overtime pay for over a year and we've been abused
on the job and harassed," explained fired Wild Edibles employee Lino Martinez to
the assembled crowd. "We will continue to struggle for as long as it takes."
Mr. Martinez is one of several workers that the federal Labor Board says was
fired by Wild Edibles owner Richard Martin in retaliation for filing an overtime
lawsuit and for supporting the Industrial Workers of the World labor
union.
The awareness event was sponsored by the Brandworkers Focus on the Food
Chain campaign. Focus on the Food Chain promotes a sustainable food system
which incorporates respect for workers' human rights.
See the exchange in this Youtube Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmwHIBsLlqk