Astor Torres

Social Movements

Weekly discussion 7

"Driscoll's workers call for global boycott over alleged abuses at world's biggest berry distributor."

            Democracy reports on a strike from Driscoll workers who want a global boycott of that company as a result of abuse and violations they claim they endure from Sakuma Farms; which Driscoll buys from. Almost 100 people gathered at the strike and the video report shows that the strikers are not all Hispanic, there are also Caucasians. Filimon Pineda, Vice president of Families United for Justice, claim that they decided to go on strike in 2013 because they felt Driscoll stole their wages, exploited them, made them work under the rain and even claim they were threatened. The strike appears to take place outside a Costco, it shows the protesters chanting and holding up signs with strong messages. By using framing theory, the social movement claimed the issue of mistreatment of farmworkers which resonates with some if not all farmworkers. The social movement was so influential in their fight that they even got workers in Mexico to join the fight and strike in Mexico where they endure worst conditions and low wages ($6-7 for 12-15 hours of work). The report ended with Democracy now contacting Driscoll's executive vice president, and he denied the claims against them and stated they will continue to buy from Sakuma farms. http://www.democracynow.org/2016/5/9/driscolls_workers_call_for_cross_border

 

"Protesters on hunger strike over San Francisco police killings".

            Democracy Now reports on a group of protesters on a hunger strike, protesting the actions of police of San Francisco. The activists are shown in a photo holding a megaphone at the sidewalks in front of the Mission police station. The police from this station are responsible for the killings of an unarmed Hispanic male. The activist demand that police chief resign or to get fired by the mayor. The actions by these activist are more than justified, for the killing of the Hispanic male was brutal. Alex Nieto (Hispanic male) carried a Taser with him, and was shot by more than 43 bullets while eating a burrito at a park. Democracy Now reported that someone called police about Nieto. Police tried to justify their actions by claiming that Nieto had pointed the Taser at them which evidence proved to be false, as Nieto's attorney stated. So far it is unsure of the success of the activists, but for the sake of morality hope they succeed. http://www.democracynow.org/2016/4/27/headlines/protesters_on_hunger_strike_over_san_francisco_police_killings

http://www.democracynow.org/2016/4/12/death_by_gentrification_alex_nieto_killed