UFW Pres. Rodriguez joins dozens of farm worker activists ‘human billboarding’ for Ortiz as part of union’s Latino vote drive

Dozens of United Farm Workers members and supporters will join UFW President Arturo Rodriguez Monday by forming a "human billboard" line at a busy East Salinas intersection urging support in Tuesday’s election for District 3 supervisorial candidate Richard V. Ortiz. It is part of an all-out drive by the Cesar Chavez-founded union to turn out Latino voters for the Soledad mayor.

In addition to portions of Salinas, the largely agricultural District 3 includes Chular, Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City. Ortiz’s parents were migrant farm workers in California. The mayor also worked in the fields as a teenager in Monterey County and in other parts of the state.

The human billboarders will line the intersection between 12 noon and 1 p.m. on Monday, waving large Ortiz campaign signs to attract the attention of passing motorists.

The UFW’s active support for the Soledad mayor’s supervisorial campaign illustrates how much county politics have changed since the union first challenged Monterey County’s political establishment in 1970. A UFW-led strike that year by thousands of lettuce and vegetable workers was met by open hostility on the part of most local elected officials who were largely Anglo.

Since then, dramatically increased Latino voter participation–inspired in part by Chavez’s farm labor movement–has brought about big changes in the local political landscape.

Who:   UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, Soledad Mayor Richard Ortiz, dozens of farm worker activists.

What:   Forming a "human billboard" urging support for Ortiz’s supervisorial candidacy on the eve of Tuesday’s primary election.

When:   12-1 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2002.

Where:  Corner of Alisal St. and Sanborne Rd., East Salinas.

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