Thread: Monterey CO, CA, Farm Workers Asked to Rally for CIR This Wk

Farm Workers Rally In Greenfield For Change

Thousands Heed Cesar Chavez's Message

POSTED: 6:13 pm PDT March 22, 2009
UPDATED: 10:15 am PDT March 23, 2009

GREENFIELD, Calif. -- Across Monterey County, thousands of farm workers are being asked to rally this week in support of legalization for undocumented workers.

The mobilization comes just a week after President Barack Obama, during his visit to Los Angeles, said immigration reform is still one of his prime priorities.

The first rally was held Sunday in Greenfield.

The ag business is at the heart of Central Coast life, and the folks who are the backbone of the multibillion-dollar industry say the time is now for reform at the local and federal levels.

Harkening back to the call for change by Cesar Chavez, the civil rights activist, more than 1,000 people gathered in the heart of Greenfield to rally for local and national reforms they say are long overdue.

"The needs of farm workers are still for the most basic things. We had six farm workers who died from the heat because they didn't have three basic things -- shade, water and rest breaks -- when it's over 100 degrees. It's hot outside. But we're also fighting for things on the national level like immigration reform," said Merlyn Calderon, United Farm Workers political director.

"We would like to see immigration reforms that cause the 12 million people that are in this country without documents become documented and have the security that they don't have now," said Efren Barajas, UFW second vice president.

Barajas organized the slate of events scheduled for this week on the Central Coast.

He said the rallies are to serve as a reminder to the Democratically controlled House, Senate and White House that the status quo is unsustainable.

"We can see sometimes they verbal, they don't pay. The supervisors take advantage of women. There's a lot of abuse," farm worker Juan Moran said.

Moran said changes in immigration law will help employees who have often endured substandard treatment and employers who need the help but want to comply with federal standards.

Their call for change is being met with resistance by some, who believe there should not be amnesty granted for those who came to the u-s through illegal channels.

But the group is ignoring all obstacles, using the legacy of Chavez as a guide.

"You're going to have a group that is with you, and you're going to have a group that is against, and we respect those people also. And we hope that they respect also what we are doing," Barajas said.

Calderon said mobilization efforts like these seem to resonate with the public and politicians.

http://www.ksbw.com/money/18988811/detail.html

"We would like to see immigration reforms that cause the 12 million people that are in this country without documents become documented and have the security that they don't have now," said Efren Barajas, UFW second vice president.

This will become 50 million or more instantly. We are BROKE

UFW marches for immigration reform in Greenfield

By KIMBER SOLANA • ksolana@thecalifornian.com • March 22, 2009

GREENFIELD - About 1,000 people marched on the streets of this south Monterey County town earlier today, many waving flags and chanting “Si, se puede,â€

Cesar Chavez was against illegal immigration because it hurt the wages of legal workers.

Originally Posted by jean

Cesar Chavez was against illegal immigration because it hurt the wages of legal workers.

you would think they would know this, or if they do. they just dont care about it cuz he has a hispanic sounding last name