Our August 3 to 26 peregrinacion has followed the same route as our historic 1966 Cesar Chavez-led march. Our goal is to convince Governor Gavin Newsom to sign #AB2183 (Stone), the United Farm Workers’ bill making it easier for farm workers to vote in a union election free from intimidation by grower foremen, supervisors and farm labor contractors.
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The journey has been pretty incredible. Last Saturday, Martin Luther King III joined us on the march. His father, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stood in solidarity with Cesar Chavez during tough times in the 1960s. That afternoon, 1,000 supporters greeted us in Stockton during 104-degree heat. UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta was there inspiring the crowd.
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Community enthusiasm across the state has built as hundreds greeted our marchers along the route and joined end-of-day rallies in valley farm towns. Local committees in each town which our march has passed through have provided food, water, cold drinks, shoes and other supplies, plus housing. Nurses tended to marchers. Supporters from near and far turned up to hand out water, drinks, popsicles and food as the peregrinos passed by.
It’s been beautiful to see the youth out supporting us as our march has moved through the Central Valley. Our eyes tear up as a new generation is activated to honor the past and mobilize for the future.
CA Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar measure last September. What’s different this year is increased public support, including solid backing by the California labor movement under its new leader, Lorena Gonzalez, as well as union, religious, and community leaders, activists and organizations.
Please come and be a part of this historic event. If are not able to be there in person, you can still join us virtually. Many options, including the ones above, can be found at ufw.org/camarch.
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