Marching for dignity, a migrant justice supporter proudly displays his support to passing motorists on Route 2 in Middlesex, VT.
A farmworker who participates in the Ben & Jerry’s supply chain marches for better working and living conditions.
A marcher carries a sign reading “Fair Food” as she treks along the roadside in Moretown, VT.
Beginning with about 150 people, the March for Dignity gathered steam as it slowly made its way to Waterbury, VT eventually swelling its ranks by more than 100 additional people.
Siblings Alex and Kira Kelley smile and wave at passing motorists en route to the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury, VT.
Braving both early-morning rain and sweltering afternoon sun, the marchers crossed four town lines and with food, drinks, strollers, and escorts in tow.
Braving both early-morning rain and sweltering afternoon sun, the marchers crossed four town lines and with food, drinks, strollers, and escorts in tow.
Marchers get a brief respite from the sun while passing through a thicket of woods along Route 2 in Moretown, VT.
Several supporters of Migrant Justice gather in a shady driveway during a much-needed rest stop.
Marchers rehydrate and relax for a few minutes in a driveway just off Route 2 in Moretown, VT.
Migrant Justice organizer Victor Diaz flashes a warm smile during a rest stop in Moretown, VT.
Medic and Migrant Justice supporter Megan Cronkite mugs for the camera between marching sessions.
Several children take a moment to relax in an air-conditioned vehicle as water is being distributed to the marchers.
“Yes we can?” Migrant Justice organizers and allies take shelter from the sun for a few moments between marching sessions.
Marchers organize their signs and banners between marching sessions.
Escorted by diligent cyclists and support vehicles, the marchers maintain a steady pace as they walk along Route 2 from Montpelier to Waterbury, VT.
A migrant farmworker energizes his fellow marches with cries of “The people, united, will never be defeated!”
A bicycle escort waits for traffic to pass as the marchers navigate an intersection outside Duxbury, VT
A migrant justice supporter proudly displays a home-made sign proclaiming her support for human rights and the Milk with Dignity campaign.
Migrant Justice organizers take shelter from the sun in a bus stop at the Waterbury Park & Ride. After the taking several minutes to rehydrate, the marchers were joined by dozens of additional supporters for the final mile’s walk to the Ben & Jerry’s factory.
Migrant Justice supporter and ally Infinite Culcleasure soaks his tired feet in a stream near the Waterbury Park & Ride before walking the final mile to the Ben & Jerry’s factory.
Nearly overcome by the sweltering heat, a young Migrant Justice supporter gasps after dunking his head in a cool stream.
A Migrant Justice supporter quietly finishes a cup of water before the final mile.
The March for Dignity begins the final mile’s walk to the Ben & Jerry’s factory.
A bicycle escort stand guard as the group of more than 250 marchers approaches Waterbury, VT.
Ben & Jerry’s security radio updates on the growing demonstration to their superiors outside the ice cream giant’s Waterbury factory.
The marchers gather outside the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury, VT.
Tired and overheated, marchers from Migrant Justice display banners demanding human rights and dignified working conditions outside the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury, VT.
All photos by Dylan Kelley
On June 17th, hundreds of migrant workers, allies, and advocates set out from the Vermont state capital of Montpelier in a thirteen mile March for Dignity to the Ben & Jerry’s factory in Waterbury, VT. They demanded that the ice cream giant make good on overdue promises regarding working and living conditions for workers in its dairy supply chain. The march was organized by VT-based Migrant Justice, a migrant farmworker and immigration rights group. They were joined by representatives of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, the Burlington-based Peace & Justice Center, and had the support of a plethora of other heavy-hitting human rights advocates such as the American Civil Liberties Union and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Laureate Librada Paz.
The march comes as Migrant Justice seeks a final resolution to its Milk with Dignity campaign to ensure dignified working conditions in Vermont’s dairy industry. Heavily relied upon by Ben & Jerry’s, the workers have cited grueling work schedules, dangerous workplaces, and squalid living conditions as being out of step with the hugely profitable ice cream brand.
“We are calling on Ben & Jerry’s to make good on its promise to join the Milk with Dignity program,” said Migrant Justice organizer Abel Luna. “It is long past the time they stand up for the workers … by signing the Milk with Dignity Agreement,” he said.
Marching slowly along the highway, the workers were greeted by waves, supportive honks, and occasional jeers from passing motorists as the wound their way along Route 2 in the foothills of the Green Mountains. After five hours of trudging through Middlesex, Moretown, and Duxbury; the original 150 marchers were joined by an additional cohort of supporters who greeted them in Waterbury with cheers and ice-cold bottles of water before trekking the final mile to the Ben & Jerry’s factory on Route 100.
“These have been 13 miles of dignity!” said Luna as he addressed the assembled crowd and press gathered just inside the gates of the Ben & Jerry’s factory. “13 miles to show the world and to show Ben & Jerry’s that Vermont workers are not alone!”
For further updates on the march and Milk with Dignity Campaign, and to get involved and support the movement, visit Migrant Justice.
Dylan Kelley is a freelance journalist, photographer, and radio producer living in Vermont who specializes in covering issues surrounding human rights and climate justice. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
