History is being made, and you can take part. Ten days ago, on Tuesday August 23, farm workers began a historic 200-mile pilgrimage up the Central Valley to Sacramento to press for enactment of the Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act and legislation giving farm workers the right to be paid overtime after 8 hours like other workers. This historic march will end this Sunday, Sept. 4th, Labor Day weekend, at the State Capitol. Thousands of farm workers from throughout California will attend this rally and personally tell Gov. Jerry Brown to sign their bills once they reach his desk.
Will you join them? Learn more and sign up to participate here.
Florencio Martinez wants to attend the big rally in Sacramento. He's already gone up and joined in the march last weekend. He tells us,
I walked away very motivated by the sheer number of people participating in this march. We farm workers are suffering the violations of our rights, such as work in the heat, being fired unjustifiably and not being paid time and a half after 8 hours. We should support the group of marchers that is already fighting for our cause, those that are already tired with blistered feet and one marcher has already been injured from walking so much. That is why I am asking that everyone join us to sacrifice one day because the fight is one for all and all for one. I am also very thankful to all of the people that have donated money or food and housing.
Grape worker Gloria Ramirez also wants to be there on Sunday. She tells us,
I have worked over 15 years in the fields picking table grapes. The bad conditions in the fields and abuse keep on happening. It is time to fix the problems we face day-to-day, so for me it is very important to fight and join my fellow farm workers. Gloria joined the march last weekend. I can proudly say that I marched for Fair Treatment for Farm Workers. It was a very exciting experience watching hundreds of farm workers and supporters. When we met the full time marchers–looking at the UFW President Arturo Rodriguez and the peregrinos– my eyes filled with tears. We all sacrifice for a good cause. We want justice for all farm workers. Join the cause. It is time to change our lives.
Oxnard's Miguel Moran also wants to attend and has been to Sacramento before in support of this bill.
I am working under union contract where all the workers have the right to speak, equality and other benefits because we are organized. I want these benefits for all the farm workers and for that reason I'm going to be marching for the governor to sign these important bills.
To send 93 busloads of farm workers to Sacramento, there are expenses. Transportation alone for 4,225 farm workers will cost $154,675, or $36.61 per worker. Click here to make a donation today, and make sure workers can have a seat on the bus and make history. You can also join the 'virtual march' and support the marchers on Twitter.
Check out photos from the march:
Day 1: August 23, 2011