NAPLES DAILY NEWS October 27, 2007 Local Student Alliance uses MySpace site to fight for social justiceThe Student Farmworker Alliance, known as SFA, is sending a message via the Internet to eliminate sweatshop working conditions and modern-day slavery in the fields. SFA, a national network of youth and student organizations allied with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, was one of three nominees for a Myspace Impact Award for social justice. This award is presented to Myspace members who use the social networking site as a tool to help make a positive change in their community and the world, according to Jin Yoon, a MySpace public affairs coordinator. MySpace users voted online at www.myspace.com/impactawards for the winner. Other nominated sites were Justice for Children International, a nonprofit organization that works toward the abolition of child sex trafficking and exploitation through advocacy, prevention and aftercare, and International Justice Mission, a human rights agency that rescues victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery and oppression. The winner of the Social Action Award was Justice for Children International. That organization received a $10,000 cash prize as well as a featured place on Myspace. Among issues brought to light on SFA’s page was the “Campaign for Fair Food.” The Coalition has targeted fast-food chains in the past, reaching agreements with Taco Bell owners Yum! Brands and McDonald’s restaurants. Burger King is the latest target. Yoon defined nominees in the Social Justice category as those “concerned with remedying societal inequalities and protecting the rights of individuals and groups ... an effort to change people’s hearts and minds.” Yoon said the goal is to empower MySpace users to make a positive impact in their community. The Impact Awards are given in six categories, including community building, health and safety, social justice, poverty relief, environmentalism and international development. Each month, one category is selected. Marc Rodrigues, an SFA member, said the organization’s message got exposure. “The social networking site helps us tap into new groups of people that aren’t familiar with our group,” Rodrigues, 26, said.
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