UFW vice president and CA farm workers get arrested during immigration reform civil disobedience action on Capitol Hill
Washington, DC – United Farm Workers National Vice President Giev Kashkooli and California farm workers Fabio Calderon and Francisco Torres were arrested today during a non-violent civil disobedience action held at the base of Capitol Hill.
Thousands of people from across the country gathered in the nation’s capital earlier today to demand the House Republican leadership pass comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship. Kashkooli, Calderon and Torres later joined two hundred of the attendees – local and national leaders, impacted immigrants by immigration reform, and civil rights, labor, and faith leaders, and engaged in civil disobedience action that resulted on their arrest. Link to photos of UFW vice president and farm workers: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151710541481547&type=3&l=34952900c8
Fabio Calderon, a United Farm Workers member, has worked in the fields for 30 years. The Oxnard, California resident works in the mushroom fields in the Ventura County area. Calderon is a U.S. legal resident who hopes to become a citizen pretty soon. He traveled to Washington, D.C. because he wants to see immigration reform successfully pass this year.
Calderon was arrested so that 11 million new immigrants can adjust their immigration status and one day fulfill their dream of becoming full citizens of this country. When he first came to the United States, he, too, was undocumented and understands firsthand the injustices lived in the fields when you don’t have your immigration documents in order.
For approximately 32 years, Francisco Torres has worked in the fields. He currently works picking oranges in the rich lands of California’s San Joaquin Valley. Torres lives in Porterville, CA which is part of Congressman Kevin McCarthy’s district.
Torres, who is a U.S. citizen, traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in the October 8 activities and support all the families who are undocumented. He understands the importance of legalization and believes that new immigrants deserve that opportunity so they, too, can have rights that he and other citizens enjoy. He doesn’t want to see any more injustices against these families, many who feel helpless without papers. Francisco said he doesn’t want to see people being taken advantage along the border or by the coyotes. Living undocumented lives put them as prey for others to take advantage of them, he says. That’s why today he participated allowed himself to be arrested to help pass immigration reform this year.
The UFW, UFW Foundation, Campesina Radio Network, and the Cesar Chavez Foundation have been actively involved in pushing for comprehensive immigration reform through its ‘Con La Union de Campesinos Tendremos Papeles’ (With the United Farm Workers, we will get our papers) nationwide campaign. Last week, the farm worker movement launched a three-day campaign called "Harvesting the American Dream" and went to 100 of the largest farms in California collecting signed postcards from farm workers urging Congressman Kevin McCarthy to push for a vote in the House on immigration reform with citizenship. More activities are being planned for the month of October. To get involved, visit our website at www.ufw.org or call a UFW office in your area.
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