Small Farmers. Big Change.

by Lucas Fowler, Equal Exchange Sales Representative in Madison, Wisconsin

Kevin Meverden and Tammy Thomsen

Amy Goodman, Host of Democracy Now! and Sharif Abdel Kouddous, Democracy Now! correspondent who just returned from Tahrir square, walked past the table today. Amy (we’re on a first name basis now) saw the “EE supports workers’ rights sign” and said, “hey that’s the coffee we drink in our office.”  I didn’t even take a picture.  My truck had just gotten towed, and she asked me where the Koch brothers lobby office, and I didn’t know where it was, so I was all frazzled.  Derek, my second in command here in Madison, was on the phone, hunting my truck down, so he can’t even confirm this story.  I guess you will just have to ask Amy Goodman.

Somehow our table became an outdoor drop-off point for donated foods that go particularly well with coffee.  13 dozen donuts arrived on our table from The People’s Bakery in Madison.  Apparently a woman from San Francisco had called in to have them donated.  Not five minutes later did off-duty Police marchers come by the table.  I couldn’t resist taking the box out to them, and offering the donuts up as they marched.  As many of them laughed at the stereotype and said no thanks, there were an equal number that indulged and finished the box off straightaway.  Bagels and cream cheese also found a home on our table from another local business.  If I haven’t said it yet, the generosity of people during these trying times is unmatched.

Ron Ruzicka, Lloyd Rowley and Cheryl Labash

The coffee continues to fuel the demonstrators as the buzz, caffeine induced or otherwise, builds toward the weekend.  A bigger turnout is expected that the weekend before.  An endgame of some sort seems imminent.  Let’s hope the pieces fall in favor of the workers.

Thanks for the amazing continued support.

Earl Engerson

In cooperation,

Luke