ST. PAUL –American Economic Liberties Project Senior AdviserAlvaro Bedoya and Co-Executive Director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance Stacy Mitchell addressed Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members gathered in Minneapolis for their 84thannual convention.
Bedoya is a former Federal Trade Commissioner, who is always looking for ways to fight for workers and small businesses through public interest litigation.
“The fifth-generation farmer who can’t turn on his tractor has a lot in common with the Bangladeshi rideshare driver who can’t turn on his rideshare app to start his morning work,” Bedoya said. “Every person needs a sense of control and dignity in their material lives. They need a government who will take that seriously and check corporate power.”
Mitchell’s work focuses on dismantling concentrated corporate power and building thriving communities and a healthy democracy.
“I’m here because the Minnesota Farmers Union has always understood a truth our country is finally waking up to – that concentrated corporate power deprives people of their liberty and destabilizes communities,” Mitchell said. “Today, people across the country are recognizing that the loss of local farms, rising grocery prices and empty Main Streets all stem from the same root problem. It’s time to rebuild a powerful alliance of farmers, workers and independent businesses to beat back monopolies and ensure every community can shape its own future.”
“Farmers Union members have been advocating for a fair economy since founding the organization in 1902,” said MFU President Gary Wertish. “Farmers Union was instrumental in forming cooperatives to enhance the economic viability of family farmers because of the corporate consolidation and monopolization in the marketplace that we are still fighting today. Mr. Bedoya and Ms. Mitchell inspired us to keep fighting for an economy that rewards hard work, creates opportunity for all and builds thriving communities.”
The convention runs Nov. 21-23 at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Minneapolis Northeast.
About Minnesota Farmers Union
Minnesota Farmers Union works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. MFU is a nonprofit membership-based organization. Membership is open to everyone. Learn more and join at www.mfu.org and follow MFU on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
