**Media Advisory **
April 12, 2004

Contacts: Melody Gonzalez, 574-634-4431,714-585-8279 (cell); Tony Rivas, 574-634-4780, arivas1 (at) nd.edu, Brigitte Gynther, 574-288-4329, bgynther (at) nd.edu, Kamaria Porter, 574-634-1399, kporter (at) nd.edu.

Starting Wednesday, April 14th Notre Dame students will begin fasting in response to their administration’s failure to issue a public statement that it will not enter into nor renew contacts with Taco Bell and lack of a plan for increased Fair Trade Coffee. Taco Bell is the subject of a nationwide boycott by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), a Florida-based organization of farmworkers, many of whom pick the tomatoes that Taco Bell purchases. Taco Bell has refused to take responsibility for the poverty and exploitation in the tomato fields that lie behind their profits, and Notre Dame sophomore Alicia Lachiondo says, “If they aren’t going to take responsibility, we are.” 10-15 students are currently committed to strike for 3 days and 60 others have signed up to fast 2 days or 1 day. They will kick off the strike Wednesday with a ‘visit’ to the Administration and plan a Hunger Strike Headquarters on campus.

Since finding out about a Notre Dame Athletic Department contract with Taco Bell, students began meeting with Administrators asking them to cut the contract or make a statement guaranteeing Notre Dame will not enter into more contracts. The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights also contacted the University urging an end to its contract with Taco Bell. Notre Dame agreed to evaluate its relationship with Taco Bell but has not yet made the public statement. According to senior Brigitte Gynther, “Enough is Enough. Justice delayed is justice denied. We’ve been meeting with them about this since the fall and everyday that we continue accept money from Taco Bell while tolerating their irresponsibility is another day that we allow farmworkers to be exploited.”

Students are also asking for Fair Trade Coffee to be served in the Dining Halls and everywhere on campus. Fair Trade Coffee is currently in several cafes and stores on campus, but not in the Dining Halls. Fair Trade Coffee, certified by the Fair Trade Labeling Organization, and purchased from democratic cooperatives of coffee farmers all over the world, ensures that farmers receive a fair price. With regular coffee, farmers are often paid less than what it costs to produce their product. Junior Melody Gonzalez says, “Notre Dame is now in a position where it can set an example to other universities, that not only does it preach to and teach its students about social justice, but also actively participates in the fight for justice.”

“Boot the Bell” Hunger Strikes are becoming a nationwide phenomenon at Universities where students are trying to kick Taco Bells off their campuses following a weeklong fast by Notre Dame freshman Tony Rivas two weeks ago. Strikes have also been declared at Grand Valley State University, Central Michigan University, and the University of Florida. Rivas, whose action generated hundreds of letters and e-mails to the ND Administration says, “We just want to see the University take responsibility for their actions.” Nineteen schools and universities nationwide have kicked Taco Bells off their campuses or refused its entrance because of the boycott. The first wave of Notre Dame 3-day fasters will break their Hunger Strike at a protest in front of the Taco Bell on LaSalle Rd in South Bend on Friday, April 16th at 5:30 pm. A second wave of hunger strikes will begin Monday, April 19th, when a press conference is also tentatively planned.