Farmworkers March for Justice

Ongoing accounts and photographs of the 10 day, 200 mile Farmworkers March for Justice across Upstate NY. <BR><BR> On Friday night, we gathered at St. Michael’s Church in Rochester for a send-off rally and dinner in support of the march. About 400 people came to express their solidarity with the Justice for Farmworkers Campaign and wish us well on our journey to Albany. <!--break--> <img class="dada-image-center" src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/2372_Opening_Event.jpg"><br> <BR><BR> The crowd was diverse and enthusiastic, a mix of farmworkers, union members, people of faith, students and allies from the community at large. We were welcomed by Fr. Peter Deckman and the members of St. Michael’s congregation and by State Senator Joe Robach of Rochester, who is one of the co-sponsors of the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act. We heard testimonials from farmworkers as well as messages solidarity from Jim Bertolone, President of the Rochester Central Labor Council, and Dr, James Evan. Pastor of St. Luke’s Tabernacle Church and former president of Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School. The evening was topped off with a delicious meal and performances of traditional Mexican Dance by a group of youth from Brockport, known as La Alma Latina, <BR><BR> We began our 200-mile journey from Auburn this morning at the site of Harriet Tubman’s home, rooting our struggle in the long history of freedom fighters who have come before us. The Rev. Paul Carter of the Harriet Tubman Home helped to get us started on our pilgrimage, along with Brian Goodell, President of UAW Local 2300. The mayor of Auburn, Tim Lattimore sent us on our way with a blessing and words of encouragement for our cause of equality. <img class="dada-image-center" src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/2372_Auburn.jpg"><br> <BR><BR> We started the day with about 100 farmworkers and allies marching the 18 miles to Camillus. The weather was sunny and beautiful, despite predictions of rain. All of the marchers made it through the day in good health, although our van did not fare so well. There appears to be a serious leak in our transmission seal, so we will be looking for a mechanic first thing Sunday morning. <img class="dada-image-center" src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/2372_Marching.jpg"><br> <BR><BR> In Camillus we were greeted by members of the First United Methodist Church who, along with the First Baptist Church across the street, put together a fantastic meal for our hungry crew. As we wind down for the evening, our spirits are high and we await the days ahead with a great deal of hope that our message will be heard in the halls of the Capitol in Albany.

<p>Ongoing accounts and photographs of the 10 day, 200 mile Farmworkers March for Justice across Upstate NY.<br /> <br /><br /><br /> On Friday night, we gathered at St. Michael’s Church in Rochester for a send-off rally and dinner in support of the march. About 400 people came to express their solidarity with the Justice for Farmworkers Campaign and wish us well on our journey to Albany.</p> <!--break--><p><img class="dada-image-center" src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/2372_Opening_Event.jpg" /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> The crowd was diverse and enthusiastic, a mix of farmworkers, union members, people of faith, students and allies from the community at large. We were welcomed by Fr. Peter Deckman and the members of St. Michael’s congregation and by State Senator Joe Robach of Rochester, who is one of the co-sponsors of the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act. We heard testimonials from farmworkers as well as messages solidarity from Jim Bertolone, President of the Rochester Central Labor Council, and Dr, James Evan. Pastor of St. Luke’s Tabernacle Church and former president of Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School. The evening was topped off with a delicious meal and performances of traditional Mexican Dance by a group of youth from Brockport, known as La Alma Latina,<br /> <br /><br /><br /> We began our 200-mile journey from Auburn this morning at the site of Harriet Tubman’s home, rooting our struggle in the long history of freedom fighters who have come before us. The Rev. Paul Carter of the Harriet Tubman Home helped to get us started on our pilgrimage, along with Brian Goodell, President of UAW Local 2300. The mayor of Auburn, Tim Lattimore sent us on our way with a blessing and words of encouragement for our cause of equality.<br /> <img class="dada-image-center" src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/2372_Auburn.jpg" /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> We started the day with about 100 farmworkers and allies marching the 18 miles to Camillus. The weather was sunny and beautiful, despite predictions of rain. All of the marchers made it through the day in good health, although our van did not fare so well. There appears to be a serious leak in our transmission seal, so we will be looking for a mechanic first thing Sunday morning.<br /> <img class="dada-image-center" src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/2372_Marching.jpg" /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> In Camillus we were greeted by members of the First United Methodist Church who, along with the First Baptist Church across the street, put together a fantastic meal for our hungry crew. As we wind down for the evening, our spirits are high and we await the days ahead with a great deal of hope that our message will be heard in the halls of the Capitol in Albany.</p>