Thousands of people are expected to participate in marches for immigration reform and to honor the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez, founder of the United Farm Workers of America. Chavez’s birthday is a holiday celebrated in eight states across the nation on March 31st, including California.Chavez died 20 years ago.
Families affected by current immigration laws, farm workers and community leaders will be joining the marches, which are planned for March 23rd and 24th in California and Washington. The marches are part of a continuing effort to urge lawmakers to pass a new immigration process that would allow the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. to legalize their status. They are also part of the UFW’s national campaign "Con la Union de Campesinos Tendremos Papeles" (With the United Farm Workers We Will Have Papers). A series of events and other marches are planned in several cities in California, Oregon, Washington, and Washington, D.C. within the next few months.
The UFW has been working with key Republican and Democratic lawmakers, such as Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Marco Rubio (R-FLA), and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), to ensure Congress approves the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act (AgJOBS) or includes language that addresses farm workers needs as part of any immigration reform legislation. The bill would give career farm workers presently in the U.S., who have been contributing to our country, the right to earn legal status by continuing to work in agriculture.
YAKIMA, WA
When: Saturday, March 23, 2013, 11 a.m.
Where: Saint Paul’s Church, 102 So. 12 Ave, Yakima
Who: Families affected by the current immigration system, farm workers and immigrant advocates
COACHELLA, CA
When: Saturday, March 23, 2013, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Coachella Plaza Shopping Center, 49647 Highway 86, Coachella, in front of KFC/Pizza Hut
Who: United Farm Workers’ President Arturo Rodriguez, Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella), Coachella Mayor Eduardo Garcia, Mayor Pro Temp Emmanuel Martinez, City Council Members Arturo Aviles, Steven Hernandez, and Magdalena Zepeda, as well as families affected by the current immigration system
SALINAS. CA
When: Sunday, March 24, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Cesar Chavez Park, 268 N. Madeira Avenue, Salinas
Who: Families affected by the current immigration system, farm workers and immigrant advocates
FRESNO, CA
When: Sunday, March 24, 2013, at 2 p.m.
Where: St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church, 2494 S Chestnut Ave, Fresno, CA 93725
Who: Families affected by the current immigration system, farm workers and immigrant advocates
BAKERSFIELD, CA
When: Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 10 a.m.
Where: Jastro Park, 2900 Truxtun Avenue
Who: Diana Tellefson Torres, Executive Director of the UFW Foundation and UFW National Vice President; Mary Kay Henry, International President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Jose M. Hernandez, NASA Astronaut; Harvey L. Hall, Mayor of Bakersfield; Joe Aguirre, Mayor of Delano; Jose Flores, Mayor of Arvin; Manuel Cantu, Jr., Mayor of McFarland; Leticia Perez, Kern County Supervisor (5th District); Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield); families affected by the current immigration system, farm workers and immigrant advocates.
SANTA ROSA, CA
When: Sunday, March 24, 2013, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: 655 Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa, California
Who: Families affected by the current immigration system, farm workers and immigrant advocates
OXNARD, CA
When: Sunday, March 24, 2013, at 10 a.m.
Where: Cesar Chavez Elementary School, 300 N. Juanita St., Oxnard, California
Who: Congresswoman Julia Brownley (26th District); students and families of those affected by current immigration system, UFW representatives, immigration reform experts, supporters