by Doug Hickerson
Farm workers and allies in advocacy held a rally at Main and Erie Streets in Brockport on Farmworker Day April 13. Afterwards, a gathering and lunch were held at the First Baptist Church in the background. On Saturday, April 13, a Farmworker Day was held at the First Baptist Church in Brockport. The mid-day event celebrated the end of a weeklong speaking tour of the state by farmworkers and allies, advocating for The Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act. That pending legislation in Albany seeks to bring the same rights and protections to migrant and other farmworkers that are enjoyed by other workers in New York State. The event was hosted by Rural and Migrant Ministries (RMM) and Brockport Ecumenical Outreach Committee (BEOC).
The program began with a half-hour rally on the corner of Main and Erie Streets with banners and placards. A lunch was provided for about 50 people, representing the migrant worker communities and the public. Pedro Roberto Mares from Sodus and his son, Pedro Antonio Mares played guitars and sang “Cielito Lindo,” a popular Mexican ranchero song. Farmworkers shared aspects of their lives, including some of the conditions under which they work.
Shown at the rally (l to r) Librada Paz and son, Axel; Bill Plews, president of BEOC, and Barb Deming of RMM. Plews and Deming prepared lunch for the Farmworker Day April 13. Paz spoke at the event.Librada Paz, Brockport resident and former migrant worker who led the state tour, addressed the Saturday gathering. She is a 2012 recipient of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award for her extensive advocacy for farm workers (Westside News Inc. newspapers, March 31, 2013). “The tour was great,” she said in an interview. “The workers who came along with us to tell their stories were so surprised at how much they learned and how important it is to work together with allies in the cause.”
“I am inspired by the courage of the farmworkers,” Barb Deming said about their work in advocacy. “That comes from recognizing and claiming their humanity by sharing their stories and demanding equality under New York State labor laws.” Deming is a representative of RMM. She was referring to the testimonies given that day, as well as the local migrant workers speaking in various cities and towns on the tour. “How can one not stand beside them in their struggle for justice?” she added.
Deming also thanked the First Baptist Church for providing the space and the BEOC for providing festive decorations. She also praised Bill Plews, BEOC president, for promoting the event and other help that day.
