Farm worker advocates, interfaith leaders to hold prayer for immigration reform outside Congressman McCarthy’s office
Bakersfield, CA — Farm workers, faith leaders, immigration reform advocates and families affected by the current immigration system will be holding a Farm Worker Day of Action on Friday, Jan. 24, at 10:15 a.m. in Bakersfield.
The event, sponsored by the United Farm Workers, UFW Foundation, Radio Campesina and National Farm Worker Ministry, will kick off with a procession starting at Yokuts Park and ending at House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy’s Bakersfield district office. The activity, which will include prayers, seeks to persuade the California congressman, who is the third-ranking House Republican, to support humane immigration reform legislation with a pathway to citizenship.
During the past year the farm worker movement and many pro-immigration reform advocates, staged demonstrations, vigils and different activities at the local and national level to highlight the plight of undocumented immigrants and persuade Congressman McCarthy to move forward immigration reform legislation, but so far he, and the House Republican leadership, has refused to take positive action. Earlier this week, during a TV interview, McCarthy said he supports legalization for undocumented immigrants but stopped short from embracing a pathway to citizenship.
"It is a step in the right direction. But it still fails to offer hard working people the chance to choose citizenship. A comprehensive immigration reform plan with a clear and humane pathway to citizenship is America choosing a future that offers dignity and respect to all. Our current immigration program is broken and hurting families. We need a comprehensive plan that includes a pathway to citizenship," said Rev. Lindsay C. Comstock, executive director of National Farm Worker Ministry.
Thousands of farm workers and their families − a large percentage of them undocumented − live and work in Congressman McCarthy’s district and could benefit from immigration reform.
The UFW and UFW Foundation have collaborated closely with the National Farm Worker Ministry − a broad coalition of interfaith leaders representing national denominations and religious groups − to ensure that farm workers throughout the country are treated fairly and with respect.
WHO: Felix Garza, National Farm Worker Ministry Board President; Rev. Lindsay C. Comstock, National Farm Worker Ministry Executive Director; Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Director of Refugee & Immigration Ministries – Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in the US and Canada; David Wildman, Executive Secretary, Human Rights & Racial Justice for the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Global Ministries; Rev. Deborah Deboer, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Rev. Gene Boutilier, Southern California Ecumenical Council
WHAT: Faith leaders, farm workers and immigrant families host a procession and Day of Action outside Congressman Kevin McCarthy’s district office, requesting him to advance immigration legislation with a path to citizenship this year.
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, a procession starts at 10:15 a.m. from Yokuts Park. Press conference at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Outside Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s District Office, 4100 Empire Dr., Suite 150, Bakersfield, CA 93309
VISUALS: A communion service of bread and wine will follow. Rev. Gene Boutilier of the Southern California Ecumenical Council will lead a prayer outside McCarthy’s office.
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