12 noon Mass, 12:30 march Sunday
Thousands of farm workers march for immigration reform and Cesar Chavez in Salinas as Senate set to debate UFW bill
Thousands of farm workers, supporters and students march through the streets of Salinas Sunday to honor Cesar Chavez’s birthday and push for immigration reform as the U.S. Senate gets set to debate a bipartisan immigration bill jointly sponsored by the United Farm Workers and growers. Chavez’s March 31 birthday was celebrated as an official state holiday.
The intersection of Alisal and Sandborne streets in Salinas will be cordoned off Sunday. A stage in the street will host two live bands and the Catholic Mass.
“Farm workers and their union are demonstrating a consistent commitment to organizing and immigration reform going back more than 40 years,” says UFW President Arturo Rodriguez. “Today, that means earning the right to stay in this country by continuing to work feeding America and much of the world through measures such as the AgJobs and McCain-Kennedy comprehensive reform bills.”
The broadly backed AgJobs bill was negotiated by the UFW and the nation’s agricultural industry over several years. Cosponsored by 49 U.S. senators, it would allow undocumented farm workers already in this country who pass criminal background and national security checks to earn the right to permanently stay in the U.S. by continuing to work in agriculture. The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill Monday that reflects AgJobs. It will soon be debated on the Senate floor.
Who: Thousands of farm workers, supporters and students; UFW President Arturo Rodriguez; elected officials, including Assemblyman Simon Salinas and Monterey County Supervisor Fernando Armenta.
What: Mass and march honoring Cesar Chavez’s birthday and supporting the UFW-sponsored AgJobs immigration reform bill being debated on the U.S. Senate floor.
When: 11 a.m. live music; 12 noon Mass; 12:30 march, Sunday, April 2, 2006.
Where: Corner of Alisal and Sandborne streets, Salinas (streets will be cordoned off).
– end –