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'A Little Slavery' Is Not OK, Gov. Crist

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 2, 2009 5:54 PM CST
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(Newser) – A dozen years of prosecutions against Florida slave-holders still hasn't convinced Gov. Charlie Crist to back the cause—but he better, Barry Estabrook writes in Gourmet. Advocacy groups, who have tried for 2 years to meet with him, now threaten to re-enact slavery abuses in the state’s capital. Such pressure has won over "other powerful folks who initially refused to play ball," writes Estabrook.

Some fast-food corporations, appalled by stories of beatings and shackled workers, now refuse to deal with tomato growers who worked with slave-holders. More than 1,000 slaves have been freed in Florida since 1997, but Crist still passed the issue off to the Department of Agriculture. “Any instance is too many,” a department spokesman said, "but you’re talking about maybe a case a year.”

Farm worker advocates holding a large petition with thousands of signatures demonstrate in front of the Burger King headquarters building in Miami.
Farm worker advocates holding a large petition with thousands of signatures demonstrate in front of the Burger King headquarters building in Miami.   (AP Photo)
Boxes of tomatoes are for sale in an open air market in Immokalee, Fla.
Boxes of tomatoes are for sale in an open air market in Immokalee, Fla.   (AP Photo)
A road sign in the farm workers village in Immokalee, Fla.
A road sign in the farm workers village in Immokalee, Fla.   (AP Photo)
Gov. Charlie Crist.
Gov. Charlie Crist.   (AP Photo)
A McDonald's exec shakes the hand of Lucas Benitez, with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers.
A McDonald's exec shakes the hand of Lucas Benitez, with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Guest
Mar 3, 2009 6:59 AM CST
oh that's so weird, he's a "republican't do my i'll pass it on to someone else."
Guest
Mar 3, 2009 4:32 AM CST
Slavery happens around the world. With 6+ billion humans, life is cheap in many places. Apparently even Florida. Unless you're a fetus. Then people will fight over you.
bacimom
Mar 3, 2009 12:50 AM CST
guaranteed they are illegals, but they way things are going we'll be back to indentured servitude if not slavery soon.

Estabrook investigates Fla. slavery
Gourmet

Local officials vocal about slavery in tomato fields
Palm Beach Post

Fla. has apologized, passed resolution
CNN

 
Florida • tomatoes • Charlie Crist • slavery • governor • farm workers • Immokalee • forced labor

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