UFW members, farm workers turn out for Washington, D.C. rally for immigration reform
03/19/2010
UFW members, farm workers turn out for Washington, D.C. rally for immigration reform
Washington, D.C. – Some 300 farm workers from across the U.S. join UFW President Arturo S. Rodriguez and tens of thousands of people expected to gather Sunday, March 21st, at the National Mall in Washington D.C. to demand Congress and President Obama enact a comprehensive immigration reform.
If you want to join the farm worker delegation join us at 10 am on the corner of 7th Street & Madison Drive and look for the red flags and shirts.
The march, organized by the Reform Immigration FOR America national campaign, which includes the United Farm Workers, is pushing for comprehensive immigration reform legislation that would allow approximately 12 million undocumented immigrants to legalize their residency status in this country.
UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, who will be representing farm worker union members and will be a speaker at the Washington D.C. rally, said “now more than ever a comprehensive U.S. immigration reform is key in helping rebuild our country and giving back American working families the prosperity and equality they deserve.” Every comprehensive immigration reform bill considered by the U.S. Senate has included AgJOBS.
“Americans depend for their food on the labor and skill of undocumented farm workers. We need professional farm workers with the experience and skills to produce the fresh fruit and vegetables that feed Americans. Growing food in our own country allows us to control pesticide use and food safety, and ensure farm workers are treated with respect and dignity,” he said.
Last year, the UFW’s nationwide campaign “Con La Union de Campesinos Tendremos Papeles” (With the United Farm Workers We’ll Get Our Papers) attracted more than 20,000 people to the different events that took place in California. The current comprehensive immigration bill includes AgJOBS legislation, which would allow farm workers to earn the legal right to permanently stay in this country by continuing to work in agriculture. That is the aim of the UFW’s landmark, broadly-backed AgJOBS bill negotiated by the union and the nation’s agricultural industry.
“The farm worker movement Cesar began is the root of the Latino political movement,” he continued. “Now we have a president, Barack Obama, whose own roots are like ours and whose presidential campaign was rooted in Cesar’s grito, ‘Si se puede!’ or ‘Yes we can!’”
Photos from DC
March 22, 2010:
United Farm workers members took picture with White House staff after meeting with them regarding the importance of immigration reform.
UFW President Arturo S. Rodriguez with Farm workers Jesus Rios y Benjamin Martinez on way to DC.
Justo Tovar GarcíaJusto and Congressman Xavier Becerra at CA Breakfast
UFW President Arturo Rodriguez & and Congresswoman Judy Chu at CA breakfast.
Farm workers with Congressman Sam Farr
Just got off of the metro and got on the taxi to go to CA breakfast
On the bus going to the metro
Our flags are ready!
Jesus Rios (Oxnard) and Benjamin Martinez (Fresno) holding UFW flag near stage of the Immigration Reform Rally.
The next generation of UFW activists at the DC Immigration Reform Rally
More photos of the next generation of UFW activists at the DC Immigration Reform Rally
Getting ready for the rally
UFW President Arturo S Rodriguez speaks
at the Reform for America rally
Eyes on the Prize Video for Washington D.C.
Immigration Reform March
“I’m going to Washington D.C. to represent all farm workers. I have been a farm worker for 40 years and even though I’m a U.S. citizen, I know how hard it is to work in the fields and even more so if you don’t have your papers.”
—Teresa Serrano, UFW member
Teresa, 56, has been a farm worker for 40 years and is representing farm workers from California’s Central Coast. She is a U.S. citizen and has been to Washington D.C. advocating for undocumented immigrants several times. Teresa’s employer sponsored, so she could travel to Washington D.C. for the march. Teresa came from Michoacan, Mexico in 1966. She has 3 daughters, one graduated with a college degree in fashion design and another one is an architect. Her youngest daughter is still in high school.
“On this trip to Washington D.C., I’m going to ask members of Congress to support immigration reform that is just for the farm workers and other workers. In Washington I want Congress and President Obama to give us a commitment that they will adopt a fair reform very soon.”
—Rogelio G. Lona
Rogelio, 61, is a U.S. Citizen, who immigrated to the United States in 1965 from Guanajuato, Mexico. He has worked as a farm worker for 45 years. He currently works in Monterey, CA in the Central Coast. He has two daughters, one of them is a student at UC Davis and the other one graduated with a microbiology degree.
“I’m going to Washington, DC to support immigration reform. We need to have a arrangement. Congressmen have to meet us, talk to us and hear our story, we need a conversation! I will represent my company in Oxnard, there are enough people who need the help of the immigration system “
“I landed in Washington DC after a long flight from California. I feel good. I am ready to attend the rally & march in support of immigration reform. Si Se Puede!” –Jesus A. Rios Santoyo
I just arrived to Washington D.C. I am excited to be here. The trip was long but I am proud to represent my fellow workers and family members in Fresno, CA. I know of a lot hard working people, that work hard, pay their taxes and are good, they deserve an opportunity. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s march!
“I have friends and family that don’t have papers and we need documents to defend our rights.”
–-Benjamin Martinez
“I support immigration reform to help our colleagues in need. I am motivated to go to Washington DC because I see many people who suffer and can not find work. I wish that everyone had the opportunity to get their papers to work “
“I represent my fellow workers under contract with the UFW and am so happy to be here.– Justo Tovar, farm worker for 30 years.”
—Justo Tovar García
