UFW, farm workers, church leaders observe May Day with a prayer for immigration reform
Channeling anger into overturning Arizona’s anti-immigrant law
Farm workers and their allies led by the United Farm Workers and religious leaders from different denominations will mark May Day, Saturday May 1, in the Central Valley with four UFW-organized religious services channeling widespread outrage over Arizona’s new anti-immigrant law into the push for comprehensive national immigration reform. Similar UFW-led events are scheduled the same day in Santa Rosa, Oxnard and Salinas while demonstrations are held across the nation demanding Congress and President Obama enact a comprehensive reform law.
The California UFW-sponsored events are part of Reform Immigration FOR America, a national campaign supporting reforms that would allow about 12 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to earn legal status. Protesters will also condemn the recent Arizona law targeting Latinos and encouraging racial profiling.
“The Arizona anti-immigrant law is not the answer,” said the UFW’s Rodriguez, “The answer comes from AgJobs and comprehensive immigration reform. The Arizona bill not only singles out Latinos, but it specifically discriminates against those with dark complexion and humble attire,”
The comprehensive immigration measure includes AgJobs, which would let farm workers earn the legal right to permanently stay in this country by continuing to work in agriculture. The broadly-backed bipartisan AgJobs proposal was negotiated by the UFW and the nation’s agricultural industry.
“Arizona produces much of the nation’s winter vegetables,” Rodriguez said. “We invite Arizona’s governor and Legislature to work with us and the growers to make AgJobs a model for immigration reform, one that respects the laws of our country and the labor of those who feed us.”
WHO: Farm workers, supporters, religious groups from different denominations
WHAT: Religious services to pray for immigration reform
WHEN: WHEN: Saturday, May 1, 2010
WHERE: Believers in Jesus Four Square Church, 600 Planz Rd. Bakersfield, CA 5-7 p.m.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1015 Clinton St. Delano, CA 5:30 p.m.
Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1300 9th Place Wasco, CA 7 p.m.
Mission Blessed Miguel, 9120 Road 236 Terra Bella, CA, 7 p.m.
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