Food First Joins In Inaugural Protests

Food First Press Release 17jan01

(Oakland, CA) Food First, Institute for Food and Development Policy, is joining thousands of community-based groups nationwide on January 20, to demand that the new Bush administration adopts just and fair policies based on economic and social human rights for all.

"If the new Cabinet appointees are any indication, this administration has already shown complete disregard for the communities of color, women, children and workers," said Anuradha Mittal, the Institute’s Co-director. "This mobilization will send a clear message that we are here to recommit this country to democratic values and human rights standards that have so far been applied overseas only."

Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees everyone an adequate standard of living including the right to food, housing, social security, and a living wage. Yet Food First’s research shows that during the so-called "economic boom", millions of Americans have fallen through the cracks:

• 36 million people go hungry each day – 14 million are children under the age of 18

• 1 out of every 5 children under the age of 6 is living in poverty.

• 12 million people are without homes. 1.1 million children stay in emergency shelters each night.

• 32 million Americans live at or below the poverty line

• 44.3 million Americans have no basic health care

"Food First’s ongoing campaign, Economic Human Rights: The Time Has Come!, brings together over 200 groups from across the nation to challenge this growing disparity," said Jeff Perlstein, Institute’s Campaign Coordinator. "We will be watching every move this administration makes and mobilizing groups nation wide to ensure a true democracy is based on economic and social justice in the U.S," he said.

Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy was founded in 1975 by Frances Moore Lappé and Joseph Collins following the success of the book, Diet for A Small Planet. Recognized as "one of the country’s most established food think tanks" by The New York Times, Food First is a leading progressive think tank and education-for-action center.

For more information please contact Nick Parker, Media Coordinator, at (510) 654-4400 ext. 229.