We've written before in this space about celebrity chef Paula Deen's endorsement deal with Smithfield - a deal that she has clung to even when confronted with the facts about Smithfield's abysmal treatment of its workers in its plant in Tar Heel, North Carolina by TV talkmeister Larry King.
Deen went on King's show back in August, and he asked her straight up if she would meet with the workers who are protesting Smithfield's behavior:
KING: You would meet with them?
DEEN: Oh, yes, absolutely, I would. Smithfield is a good company. It's a good company. And these people are so happy to have their jobs, good benefits and, you know, they're happy.
KING: OK.
DEEN: They are happy.
KING: But you will meet with them if they want to meet with you?
DEEN: Absolutely.
KING: Because -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) we'll do it right here.
DEEN: OK.
That sounds pretty unambiguous to me -- but it's been three months since she made that promise, and she still has yet to meet with the workers. So perhaps she needs another reminder - and you can help give her one!
Paula Deen will be giving a cooking demonstration at the Washington Convention Center this Saturday, November 3. Workers and activists will be there too to ask her when she plans on keeping the promise she made in August. Join them and help send the message that working people are watching!
Learn more about the event on the Web or download the event flyer (PDF). If you're planning on attending, let the Smithfield campaign know by e-mailing rsvp@smithfieldjustice.org. And as always, you can learn more about the campaign for Justice at Smithfield on their Web site.
