December 4, 2003

Pat Eastman
Executive Director
Associated Students of the
University of California Los Angeles (ASUCLA)
Board of Directors
VIA FAX: 310/206-3755

Dear Ms. Eastman:

The Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Memorial Center for Human Rights (CHR) has chosen three members of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), Julia Gabriel, Lucas Benitez, and Romeo Ramirez as the 2003 RFK Human Rights Award Laureates. They were chosen for their efforts to combat modern-day slavery in the U.S. agriculture industry. We appreciate the commitment and solidarity of the Associated Students of the University of California Los Angeles to CIWís social change goals: ending modern day slavery and gaining a livable wage for all farmworkers.

As you may know, these human rights defenders have adopted innovative strategies to create the leverage that will move them closer to achieving their social change goals. Key among these is the national boycott of Taco Bell, Inc. In particular, Taco Bell is a major buyer of Florida tomatoes, yet they refuse to take a responsible role in addressing the gross human rights violations in their supply chain.

The RFK Memorial has partnered with the CIW and will support the Boycott the Bell Campaign, as well as, the Boot the Bell Campaign until Taco Bell and its parent company, YUM! Brand, Inc. begins to a policy of zero tolerance for slave labor and a livable wage for all farmworkers in their supply chain.

We know that your university would not want to be associated with an organization that has so little regard for the slave labor practices and human rights abuses in its supply chain.

In anticipation of the ASUCLAís December 5th vote regarding the Taco Bell franchise on the UCLA campus, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial stands with you and supports your actions to Boycott the Bell and boot the Taco Bell franchise from the UCLA campus. We thank you in advance for your support of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers as well as all farmworkers across the nation. If you should have any questions, please contact me at 202/463-7575.

Sincerely,

Todd Howland
Director
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial
Center for Human Rights