Protest targets Wendy’s billionaire chairman

Hundreds of protesters, led by Ethel Kennedy, demonstrated near the home of the chairman of the Wendy’s fast food chain in hopes of convincing the company to pay a penny-per-pound fee for its tomatoes to supplement some farmworkers’ wages.

The Palm Beach Post reports the Immokalee Coalition of Farmworker’s march near billionaire Nelson Peltz’s home was peaceful on March 12.

A federal judge had ruled the coalition could use loudspeakers but said marchers must remain on the sidewalk.

The coalition, which represents about 40,000 workers, has used demonstrations and sometimes consumer boycotts to pressure the five largest fast-food companies — Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway and Taco Bell — into joining its “fair food program.” All but Wendy’s eventually joined.

Peltz, a 73-year-old investor, has a net worth of $1.35 billion and is the 423rd richest American, according to Forbes Magazine.

One of his companies, Triarc, bought Wendy's in 2008 for $2.3 billion and he became chairman.

Others who live in the area include Rush Limbaugh, Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump.