Axis of Justice Celebrates Farmworkers' Victory

Axis of Justice - Tom Morello (Audioslave) and Serj Tankian (System of a Down) - are proud to join in the celebration of the decisive victory that the farmworkers of Immokalee, Florida (the Coalition of Immokalee Workers - CIW) have just claimed. For more than four years, the CIW has been embroiled in a boycott of Taco Bell, the major purchaser of the organization's produce, demanding the end to sweatshops in the fields and the restoration of basic human rights in that workplace. In conjunction with unions, students, religious groups and other high-profile public figures, Axis of Justice participated in annual rallies and concerts at Taco Bell's SoCal headquarters to focus attention on this inhumane fast-food industry. Due to the boycott, Taco Bell has now been forced to take a role in helping to reform working conditions for Florida farmworkers.

"Today the Immokalee farmworkers struck a blow for dignity and human rights in the workplace and received the long overdue raise they have been fighting for," Morello commented. "This is a major victory for the workers and demonstrates that by standing up and standing together, we can overturn any injustice. By standing up and standing together, we can change the world."

Axis of Justice recently released "Axis of Justice: Concert Series Volume I" on Axis of Justice/Serjical Strike/SONY Records. The CD/DVD was recorded in Los Angeles and features Tankian and Morello joined by a number of special guests including Flea, Maynard James Keenan and Pete Yorn. The "Axis of Justice Radio Network" can be heard the second and fourth Friday of every month at 7:00PM PT on KPFK/Los Angeles, 90.7FM, 98.7FM in Santa Barbara, online at www.kpfk.org, and on XM Satellite Radio's punk channel, "Fungus."

AXIS OF JUSTICE (http://www.axisofjustice.org/) is a non-profit organization formed by Morello and Tankian. Its purpose is to bring together musicians, fans of music, and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice together. AXIS OF JUSTICE aims to build a bridge between fans of music around the world and local political organizations to effectively organize around issues of peace, human rights, and economic justice.