Salinas 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Delano 11:30 a.m. Sunday
Thousands at weekend farm worker marches to win driver’s licenses for undocumented
This weekend thousands of farm workers cap a week of United Farm Workers-led marches in the Central Valley and Central Coast backing legislation granting driver¹s licenses to undocumented residents. In one of the most dramatic demonstrations of community support for the driver¹s license reform, farm workers will take to the streets of Salinas on Saturday and Watsonville and Delano on Sunday.
Central Valley workers will also march after work at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday in the farm towns of Arvin and Lamont south of Bakersfield, and at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in Delano. Central Coast workers will march after work at 5:30 p.m. on Friday in Greenfield, at 5 p.m. Saturday in Salinas and at 12:30 p.m.Sunday in Watsonville. The Legislature returns from its summer recess to take up the driver¹s license bill on Monday, Aug. 18.
Everywhere, farm workers will urge lawmakers to approve “the strongest legislation that makes driver’s licenses available to all qualified undocumented workers,” declares UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, who will lead the marches in Salinas and Delano. Marchers will also demand support from members of both political parties.
“Immigrants harvest food for both Democrats and Republicans,” Rodriguez says. “They work in the hotels and restaurants for both Democrats and Republicans. They care for people’s kids, work in construction and in hospitals for both Democrats and Republicans. Now everyone, Democrats and Republicans, should support our people’s right to drive and keep the roads safe.” March schedule follows:
Central Valley
Saturday, Aug. 16 at 6:00 p.m.: St. Agustin Church, 10601 Myrtle Ave. and Paul St., Lamont (Kern Co.).
Sunday, Aug. 17 at 11:30 a.m.: Casa Hernandez, 200 So. Albany St.and Garces Highway, Delano (Kern Co.).
Central Coast
Friday, Aug. 15 at 5:30 p.m.: Greenfield Elementary School, Camino Real and Walnut, Greenfield (Monterey Co.).
Saturday, Aug. 16 at 5:30 p.m.: Cesar Chavez Park, N. Madiera St. and Market St., Salinas (Monterey Co.).
Sunday, Aug. 17 at 12:30 p.m.: La Placita, corner of Main and Beach, Watsonville (Santa Cruz Co.).