1-7 p.m. Sunday, August 11, 2002, y in Yakima
Former Gov. Lowry, Rep. Kenney join Seattle UFW supporters in Yakima as part of national drive for immigrant reform rewarding work
Former Gov. Mike Lowry and Seattle farm worker supporters will join United Farm Workers members, their families and community backers on Sunday at Miller Park in Yakima for an afternoon of music, food and speeches from state and local leaders as part of a nationwide drive to put immigration reform back on the agenda this fall for President Bush and Congress. This third and final such event, following highly successful Pasco and Mattawa festivals in July, is expected to draw supporters from the Yakima Valley and Seattle.
It is part of a U.S. campaign aimed at delivering hundreds of thousands of post cards to the nation’s capital urging America’s political leaders to "support immigration policies that reward work by giving hard-working, tax-paying immigrants already in the United States the opportunity to earn legal status." Post cards will be signed and collected at Sunday’s event for shipment to Washington, D.C. before the November 5 elections.
A broad-based coalition is pushing legislation enabling undocumented workers and their families presently in this country to earn legal status by continuing to perform "vital" tasks in key industries such as agriculture. Campaign organizers note that immigrant workers harvest the crops, care for the sick and elderly, help raise children, and clean office buildings and homes. A recent UCLA study cited more than $440 billion a year generated for the U.S. economy from immigrants.
"Our goal is to send a clear and strong message to President Bush and lawmakers from both parties that immigration reform is a pressing issue for millions of American voters," states UFW National President Arturo Rodriguez.
UFW National Vice President Guadalupe Gamboa says that in addition to providing workers for the state’s tree fruit industry, Mexico is the number one purchaser of exported Washington state apples. Last year, Mexico accounted for nearly 10 million boxes of apples and contributed $120 million to the central Washington economy. "We need to reward the contributions of immigrant workers by providing the means for these hardworking, immigrants to gain legal status," Gamboa says.
Who: State Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney, former Gov. Mike Lowry, Teamsters Local 556 Secretary Treasurer Maria Martinez, UFW National Vice President Guadalupe Gamboa, Seattle political and labor leaders (such as Jobs with Justice and Longshoremen’s union), farm worker families, community supporters.
What: Farm Worker Legalization Festival championing the nationwide campaign to win legal status for immigrant workers.
When: 1-7 p.m., Sunday, August 11, 2002.
Where: Miller Park, corner of 3rd and "D" Streets, Yakima Washington.
– end –