S.A.M.E. tour a tremendous success raising awareness of migrant issues

Toronto – ­­April 22, 2014 – Students Against Migrant Exploitation (S.A.M.E.) recently concluded their 2014 tour in support of Migrant Worker Awareness Month. Conducting workshops at more than 70 colleges, universities, elementary schools and community centres, S.A.M.E. activists directly engaged more than 15,000 students across Ontario and Quebec. Gathering support from teachers and community leaders, the tour enlisted hundreds of new volunteers to the movement to end migrant exploitation.

During the tour, S.A.M.E. produced daily reports and weekly video reviews of inspiring messages of support for migrant workers. #NotMyTomato was launched – an interactive campaign where people can tweet their demand that fruits and vegetables should be harvested under conditions where the rights of agricultural workers are respected. The campaign has generated tweets and photos from supporters across Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala and the Philippines.

S.A.M.E. is supported by UFCW Canada, the nation’s most progressive union and the leading voice for migrant farm workers. Together with S.A.M.E. and the Agriculture Workers Alliance, UFCW Canada is engaged in a monumental struggle to secure the rights of migrant workers across the country.

“When we talk with young people about the necessity to achieve social justice for migrant workers, they get it immediately,” explains Pablo Godoy, coordinator for S.A.M.E. “They understand that labour rights are human rights and that they can make a difference in the lives of migrant workers right here at home.”