Lori and I attended an exciting march and protest on behalf of workers' rights. We boarded a bus provided by the labor union and rode 3.5 hours to Williamsburg, Virginia. We were protesting a company called Smithfield Packing Co; Smithfield is the largest pork producer in the entire world, slaughtering over 32,000 hogs every single day.The workers labor under conditions that risk their health & safety, and now they are demanding union representation to improve conditions, but the company has just responded with threats and firings. In Williamsburg, Virginia, the company was holding a Stockholders meeting, and about 1000 people attended to pressure the company to accept the union.
We met several of Lori's friends there. 
In the photo below/right you see me standing with Laxmi and Alexandria. I'm holding a whistle in my mouth that we were using to make noise! This protest was not like those we see at home. There was no tear gas, no running from police. In fact, they had arranged with the police in advance and they escorted us the whole way.
In the photo below/right you see me standing with Laxmi and Alexandria. I'm holding a whistle in my mouth that we were using to make noise! This protest was not like those we see at home. There was no tear gas, no running from police. In fact, they had arranged with the police in advance and they escorted us the whole way.
We spent the whole day there. First we attended a wonderful church service in which the pastors talked about the work of God being for justice and righteousness, and if we are the people of God then we must also work for justice. It was very inspiring.
After the service, we joined in a march. We walked for some time and then rested at the end, when we heard more speeches. Finally, we boarded the buses and headed back to Durham.
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