Yakima, WA – Families affected by current immigration laws are set to march Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 11 a.m. in 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. legalize their status.
Thousands of people are expected to participate in the march 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.
The nearly three-mile march will begin at Saint Paul’s Church, 102 So. 12 Avenue, and will be followed by a rally at Seasons Performance Hall, 101 N. Naches Avenue. The Yakima march is sponsored by the Cesar Chavez Foundation, Radio Campesina 96.3 FM, YVCC-MECHA, Yakima Valley Barrios Unidos, Radio KDNA, High School Equivalency Program (HEP)-CWU, Salcitas Restaurant, Seasons Performance Hall, and Univision KUNW-TV. It is part of the UFW’s national campaign "Con la Union de Campesinos Tendremos Papeles (With the United Farm Workers We Will Have Documents).
Music and entertainment will follow the march. A series of events and marches are also planned in other California cities, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Washington, D.C. within the next few months
The UFW is currently in negotiations with several major growers associations, along with Republican and Democratic lawmakers, 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. AgJOBS is a bipartisan approach and supported by agricultural employers, who have worked on this legislation with the UFW for a decade. The bill would give career farm workers presently in the U.S. and who have been contributing to our country the right to earn legal status by continuing to work in agriculture.
WHAT: March calling for immigration reform and celebration of Cesar Chavez’s legacy
WHEN: Saturday, March 23, 2013
TIME: 11 a.m.
WHERE: Saint Paul’s Church, 102 So. 12 Ave, Yakima, WA
WHO: Families affected by the current immigration system, farm workers and immigrant advocates
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