Earlier this month the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) began a march to the State Capitol, seeking Governor Gavin Newsom’s support and signing of Assembly Bill-2183. Riverbank City Councilmember Rachel Hernandez made her way to the Red Event Center in Modesto last week to show support for the marchers and their cause.
“People have been really supportive,” said Hernandez about the march. “It was pretty exciting. The cities and town begin to mobilize before they arrived.”
The UFW originally tried to gather at Cesar Chavez Park in Modesto which would have been very fitting but there were some issues with the City of Modesto regarding the permit and fees.
“The owner of Red Event Center heard about it and welcomed the marchers,” remarked Hernandez. “The community came together including people with their classic cars, small businesses, and just supporters to greet the marchers. The supporters donate supplies, food, and some have even given the marchers back massages, massaged their feet and taken care of their blisters. They are walking about 20 miles a day. So, it is pretty intense. There are local people housing the people. I just want to note that it is amazing to see our small cities mobilize and show their support to their cause.”
The bill would allow farm workers to vote in union elections through mail and guarantee voting rights without intimidation or retaliation from farm owners and others. Newsom vetoed a similar bill last year.
The march began in Delano, California and has made its way through several cities and towns throughout the state. Last week they made their way through Turlock, Modesto, Stockton and recently were in between Galt and Walnut Grove.
The final stretch will have the marchers on the Capitol steps on Friday, Aug. 26 where they expect thousands of supporters. The route planned has them walking 335 miles in 24 days.
Despite the sweltering heat, the UFW marchers and their supporters have experienced the solidarity from the communities which has been the most comforting and energizing, according to UFW Director of Strategic Campaigns Elizabeth Strater.
The car clubs lined the streets at the event center in Modesto and since then the car clubs in the different cities have been showing their support distributing sun screen, cold water, and guiding the marchers on the roads.
“It felt like a turning point in Modesto,” stated Strater. “The march has been sort of a meditative sacrificial sort of feeling. It moved into something more energized. The community support in Modesto was amazing. It has been a really cool level of support.”
