3:30 p.m. Sunday, August 22, in Fresno
Mass organized by UFW, community groups honors 13 farm workers killed in Aug. 9 crash, calls for action on reform bill
Nearly two weeks after 13 tomato workers were killed and two were injured when their overloaded van crashed into a big rig southwest of Fresno, accident victims and their families will be remembered Sunday at a Catholic mass sponsored by the United Farm Workers, Catholic Charities and community groups. Hundreds of Fresno-area farm workers and other residents are expected.
Among those participating will be UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, union Secretary-Treasurer Dolores Huerta, and Cesar Chavez’s middle son, Paul Chavez, president of the UFW-related National Farm Workers Service Center Inc.
Petitions will also be circulated in support of AB 1165, an "urgency" bill Assemblyman Dean Florez (D-Shafter) hopes to pass before the Legislature adjourns Sept. 9. It would require seat belts in farm labor vehicles and beef up enforcement against illegal farm worker transportation by the California Highway Patrol. Most workers who died or were injured on Aug. 9 were crammed without seat belts onto wooden benches running the length of the hollowed out van, causing the high loss of life.
"This mass honors those who lost their lives and were injured," the UFW’s Rodriguez says. "But we also ask people to take action by supporting AB 1165, which would make California farm labor vehicles safer before another year of harvest seasons brings more needless deaths, injuries and suffering to farm workers and their families."
Who: UFW President Arturo Rodriguez; union co-founder Dolores Huerta; Cesar Chavez’ son, Paul Chavez; Rev. Msgr. John Esquiel; 300 farm workers and other area residents.
What: Catholic mass remembering victims of the Aug. 9 van crash and calling on people to take action for legislative reforms.
When: 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 22, 1999.
Where: St. John’s Catholic Church, 2814 Mariposa (at R St.) in Fresno.
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