SACRAMENTO — With only minutes left for Gov. Jerry Brown to sign SB 104, more than 100 people remain outside his state Capitol office tonight in a vigil supporting the bill that would make it easier for farm workers to unionize.
At 9 p.m. Tuesday, the corridor in front of Brown’s office was packed with farm laborers and other backers of the bill quietly making their presence known. Most of the people have sat or stood by Brown’s office since mid-afternoon Tuesday, under the watchful eyes of security officers.
The vigil has been peaceful, in keeping with the tenets of Cesar Chavez, founder of the United Farm Workers Union.
The Capitol usually closes by 6 p.m., but is staying open tonight because the Legislature remains in session, tweaking the state budget.
The bill, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) has been on Brown’s desk since June 16. He has until midnight Tuesday, June 28, 2011 to sign it so it becomes law next year.
Thousands of farm workers have rallied and marched outside the Capitol since June 16, urging Brown to sign SB 104. Tuesday was the first time the vigil moved inside the Capitol for extended hours.
Participants have vowed to remain inside or outside the Capitol until midnight Tuesday.
