SALINAS CALIFORNIAN April 2, 2007
Salinas march, rally call for immigration reform With the United Farm Workers' signature red-and-black flags raised high, marchers took to Salinas streets Sunday to celebrate Cesar Chavez's birthday and call for immigration reform. Chanting "Sí se puede!" as they marched, at least 300 people from Central Coast communities commemorated the farm labor leader, who died in 1993. The event began at noon with a rally at East Alisal Street and Sanborn Road. For an hour at the stage area, state, city and advocacy group leaders took turns speaking about the importance of fighting for equality and the immigration reform movement occurring throughout the country. "(The farm workers) put food on our table," Salinas City Councilwoman Gloria De La Rosa said. "Without them, we are nothing." Maria Garcia of Salinas, who brought her daughter, niece and nephew to participate in the rally, said she thought it essential to come out and show her support for the cause of immigration reform. "I just want them to grow up and be proud of who we are," Garcia said of the children accompanying her. Carrying a bull horn, Santa Cruz City Councilman Tony Madrigal, along with other community leaders such as United Farm Workers Vice President Efren Barajas, Monterey County Supervisor Simón Salinas and the Most Rev. Richard Garcia, bishop of the Diocese of Monterey, led the rally as it proceeded along Sanborn Road, Del Monte Avenue and Williams Road. Salinas police patrol cars and officers on bicycles escorted the crowd through the streets Cesar Lara, executive director of both The Citizenship Project in Salinas and the Monterey Bay Labor Council, said Sunday's march offered a time to reflect on the progress made since Chavez first fought for basic human rights for farm workers in the 1960s. "It signifies the continuous battle the community faces," he said. "It's not a negative but a positive thing as we've come so far." Jose Marina of Salinas, who works and volunteers with La Union Del Pueblo Entero, an organization affiliated with the UFW, said while the Mexican farm labor community has made great strides in fighting for equality, much still remains to overcome, such as unfavorable immigration policies. In commemorating Cesar Chavez's birthday, Marina said, it's important to remember what he stood far and carry on his legacy. "It's an ongoing battle," he said. "People think just because it happened back in the day, everything's fine now, but it isn't - that's why we're here today." On Saturday, more than 250 community volunteers participated a day of work to build a new playground in recognition of Chavez's birthday at the Firehouse Recreation Center, 1330 E. Alisal St. in Salinas. The playground at the center, which is operated by LUPE, is part of an effort initiated by California First Lady Maria Shriver and California Volunteers to build play spaces across the state in collaboration with national nonprofit KaBOOM!
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