May 1st: Join farmworkers on the picket line; don’t shop at Hannaford!

This Friday, farmworkers will lead an all-day picket of Hannaford Supermarket over labor abuses on farms supplying Hannaford-brand milk. Throughout the day outside of the Hannaford store in Williston, Vermont, workers and allies will call on consumers to respect the picket line and not shop at Hannaford. Together, we will show the supermarket chain that farmworkers and consumers are united demanding Milk with Dignity!

The action on International Workers Day comes on the heels of a recent trip to the Netherlands to participate in the shareholder meeting of Ahold Delhaize, Hannaford’s parent company. Migrant Justice brought the testimonies of dairy workers directly to Ahold’s CEO and Board of Directors – and into the company’s headquarters during a protest the following day. The pressure has forced a response, but more is needed to bring the $100 billion corporation to the table.

On International Workers’ Day, join farmworkers on the picket line at Hannaford in Williston any time from 7am-11pm to demand Milk with Dignity!

The upcoming action follows last year’s Mayday picket at the same store. The pressure made a huge impact: Hannaford lost over 500 customers throughout the day, a drop in sales of over 25%. During the picket, workers encouraged potential Hannaford customers to sign consumer pledges committing to support the campaign and to join an eventual consumer boycott of Hannaford, if one is called.

Thousands have signed the Milk with Dignity consumer pledge. Make your pledge today to support Milk with Dignity and to never cross a farmworker picket line!

We recently asked ally organizations to join the action and sign up for a shift on the line. The response has been overwhelming. Tomorrow we will see picketers from the following organizations:

350VT, Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN), Education Justice Coalition of Vermont, Green Mountain IWW, Indivisible Bristol Area, Indivisible Hardwick, Indivisible Mad River Valley (IMRV), Jewish Voice for Peace - Champlain Crew, Jewish Voice for Peace VT/NH, Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, Resister Sisters, Rural Vermont, Solidarity Singers and Sanctuary Networks, Unitarian Church of Montpelier, UVMMC Support Staff United - AFT-VT Local 5223, and the Vermont Workers' Center.

The Milk with Dignity picket at Hannaford coincides with a march and rally organized by the Vermont May Day Strong Coalition. At 5pm, people will gather at a nearby park in Williston before marching past the national ICE data center, and ending at the Hannaford picket for a joint rally at 7pm. Together, we will say: "Workers over billionaires! No war; no ICE; no Hannaford!"

p.s. Can’t make it to Friday’s actions? Be sure to spread the word – and make sure people know not to shop at Hannaford on Mayday – by sharing our posts on facebook, instagram, and twitter.