As the United Farm Workers’ march made its way into Fresno County from Malaga to Calwa this week, Bishop Joseph V. Brennan of the Fresno Diocese and members of the Catholic Church walked alongside them.
“When the Catholic Church and its bishops need to be advocates for certain things, they're always willing to do so,” says Chandler Marquez, a spokesperson for the Fresno Diocese.
Over half of Latinos in the state follow the Catholic faith. According to the California Research Bureau, 92% of farmworkers are Latino.
Historically, the church has not taken a stance for or against the UFW. This is the first time the church has officially supported legislation on behalf of the UFW. Marquez says all the bishops in California supportAssembly Bill 2183, which would change how farmworkers vote in union elections.
“It's important that the farmworkers have the right to vote without fear of intimidation or fear of retaliation,” he says.
Along their route, the farmworkers will be invited to sleep at the homes of various members of the church. The marchers are expected to arrive in Sacramento on August 26.
This story is part of the Central Valley News Collaborative, which is supported by the Central Valley Community Foundation with technology and training support by Microsoft Corp.
