UNC Charlotte Students for a Democratic Society

The protest we had last month was an excellent turnout, but the fight is far from over. On the 29th, a shareholder protest is scheduled in Williamsburg, VA, and I encourage anyone to attend. Don't worry about driving; they've included a thorough bus schedule. Be sure to check out the attached flyer for more details.

Below is the email they sent:

Dear Supporters of Smithfield Workers:
On Wednesday, August 29 supporters from across the state and nation are
mobilizing to stand with Smithfield workers in protest at Smithfield's
Annual Shareholders Meeting, which will take place in Williamsburg, VA.
This will be workers' biggest and more important event to date. National
and statewide religious and civil rights leaders will be in attendance.
We will march through the streets of historic, colonial Williamsburg to
demonstrate in front of the hotel where Smithfield executives will be
meeting to demand that Smithfield end the abuse of workers!

I am writing to request that you attend the shareholder protest and help
mobilize delegates from your community to attend. We will be providing
free charter buses from the communities listed below. You can reserve
seats by emailing me back or registering through our web site at
http://www.smithfieldjustice.com/Form.php

* CHARLOTTE/STATESVILLE BUS
5:30 AM Depart Hilton Garden Inn of Charlotte North, 9315
Statesville Road
6:10 AM Pick-up in Statesville, NC at Holiday Inn at I-77, 1215
E Garner Bagnal Blvd (Tentative-depends on interest)
11: AM Arrive First Baptist Church, Williamsburg

* DURHAM/RALEIGH BUS - Note new departure time!
7:00 AM Depart Target/Sam’s Club Parking lot, 4037 Durham Chapel
Hill Blvd, Durham
7:40 AM Pick-up in Raleigh at Holiday Inn Express, 4716 New Bern
Ave
11: AM Arrive First Baptist Church, Williamsburg

* GREENSBORO/HENDERSON BUS
6:30 AM Depart Beloved Community Center, 417 Arlington Street,
Greensboro
8:15 AM Pick-up in Henderson, NC at Holiday Inn Express of
Henderson, 200 Simmons Dr (Tentative-depends on interest)
11: AM Arrive First Baptist Church, Williamsburg

*LUMBERTON/FAYETTEVILLE/ROCKY MOUNT
6:00 AM Depart Lumberton Holiday Inn at I-95, 101 Wintergreen St
6:30 AM Pick-up at Fayetteville Holiday Inn at I-95, 1944 Cedar
Creek Rd
8:00 AM Pick-up in Rocky Mount, Best Western Inn at I-95, 7095
Rte 4 (Tentative-depends on interest)
11: AM Arrive First Baptist Church, Williamsburg

The event will begin with a welcome ceremony at First Baptist Church of
Williamsburg, the oldest Black Baptist church in the nation and a place
where Fredrick Douglas and Martin Luther King, Jr. preached! We will
then march through historic, colonial Williamsburg to the site of the
Smithfield Shareholder Meeting for a rally. Buses will depart
Williamsburg at 3 PM and will arrive back in NC between 6-9 PM,
depending on your location. I am attaching a general sign-up sheet and
turn-out flier to circulate. Please reserve spaces ASAP by contacting me
at emanly@ufcw.org or 919-491-2262 or by signing-up at
http://www.smithfieldjustice.com/Form.php.

“It was a powerful experience of witness for those of us who went last
year,” said Rev. Nelson Johnson of the Southern Faith, Labor and
Community Alliance. “This year we want to turn-out in tremendous force
to demand that Smithfield stop the abuse! Together, we can help workers
win the justice and dignity they deserve.”

I hope you can help Smithfield workers win the justice they deserve on
August 29!

Sincerely,
Libby Manly

Libby Manly
Community Organizer
Smithfield Campaign
United Food and Commercial Workers
1408 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27605
Cell: 919-491-2262
Fax: 919-828-2102
www.smithfieldjustice.org