It’s an issue of color

by Ace Tafoya/PoorNewsNetwork Community Journalist

Dawn was only hours away as my sister Toni lay on her soft mattress that early Saturday morning. 'Captain Cargo", 'Fat Albert' and 'The Wacky Races' would meet my eyes yet her eyes would only see red. "Pick up those tomatoes girl," the pale supervisor said in that hot summer San Joaquin valley heat. "Make sure you pick up everything! I'm watching you!" Toni was out in the fields along with other workers picking up tomatoes. She was in her early teens.

On Saturday, September 20, San Francisco in conjunction with other cities had a march for Immigrant Rights. I, the son of poor immigrant farmworkers who was expected to join my siblings in the fields just to help my family survive joined thousands of supporters and immigrants who chanted at Yerba Buena Gardens and proceeded down Market Street in a send-off event for the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, a national movement to build support for reform of U.S. policy. Inspired by the Freedom Rides of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's, Immigrant workers and friends will set out across the country for a series of rallies and educational forums. The buses will stop at 11 cities before arriving in Washington, DC on October 1st to meet with members of Congress. From there, the new Freedom Riders of 2003 will come to their destination of New York City for a massive rally on Saturday, October 4.

Jean Damu, a San Francisco Freedom Rider was all set for the march and the rally. "It's an important expression," he said to me before the march started. "As a Black worker, it's important to make this statement of expression and solidarity. It's an issue of color. We don't 'round up white immigrants whether legal or illegal and send them back to Europe, they (the I.N.S.) only 'round up the people of color who are immigrants." Damu was too young to participate in the first Freedom Ride, so I asked him why he wanted to make this ride. "Because my history as a worker in this country has shown that solidarity amongst workers is extremely important. All workers need to solidify. This is important in terms of globalization. Workers around the world have to express solidarity."

When the march started I asked Samantha Hynes, a local resident, what did the march mean to her. "I think this march will be a historic moment in (the) history of the U.S. I think that people will recognize this and identify with the 60's Freedom Rides." Samantha joined her friends and Tonya Miles of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist CBTU. "It's a great event and a great initial start to really get out the information about 'No on 54' (the classification by race, ethnicity, color, or national origin initiative), and the whole thing about working together and unity." The warm air swept through the garden. "Yes, considering the crunch we're in right now, it's not possible, but definitely something we could pull the state back up as well as the nation," she responded when I asked her if the minimum wage should be increased.

The Freedom Riders plan to highlight four major issues as they journey across the country: 1) establishing a clear road for immigrants to become citizens; 2) humane and timely procedures for reunifying immigrant workers with their families; 3) improving workplace conditions for immigrants; and 4) protecting the civil rights and civil liberties of all. The festival was sponsored by The Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, a collaborative effort between community organizations, interfaith groups, labor unions and elected officials.

When we reached Civic Center/City Hall Park we we're greeted by Mariachis, African drummers, Arabic singers, Filipino stick dancers and Gray Davis. "I'm so proud to join all my colleagues on stage today to honor the new Freedom Riders," said the Governor. Standing next to him was Dolores Huerta, Co-Founder of the United Farm Workers and a national hero to me, yet he continued, "I'm proud of you taking the trip across America. I know, everywhere you go, you will spread good will, you will remind people that America's economy has been, is now, and always will be dependent on the important work immigrants do."