Farmworker Albany Day
May 12, 2009
New Yorkers from all walks of life--farmworkers, people of faith, students, labor activists, and even farm owners--descended upon Albany for a day of prayer, mobilization, singing, dancing, chanting, and lobbying. Together, the crowd of over 300 sounded the call for an end to the shameful exclusions that for too long have denied farmworkers equal rights and protections under the law.
The day included a press conference, a bilingual multifaith liturgy of justice, a rally in West Capitol Park, and visits with legislators. Huge puppets and other art by Rural and Migrant Ministry's Youth Arts Group, music from Kim and Reggie and a mariachi band, and dances by Alma Latina (Rochester area) made sure that this was a protest that would not be soon forgotten by our leaders in Albany.
We felt honored and inspired by messages of solidarity from allies such as NYSUT Vice President Alan Lubin (NYSUT staff and members also turned out for the rally), AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Very Rev. Prince Singh, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester, our Assembly and Senate bill sponsors, and most notably, Kerry Kennedy, Founder of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights.
Our thanks to Westminster Presbyterian Church for serving as home base for Farmworker Advocacy Day. Thanks also to the UFCW, the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation, and the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester for help with transportation.
Media Coverage
Follow the links to view more media coverage of the Farmworker Advocacy Day.
- Poughkeepsie Journal
- Legislative Gazette
- Public Broadcasting
- Catholic Courier
- Harvest Kennedy's legacy: State Senate must pass farmworker rights bill
- Albany Times Union
- Labor Rights Blog
- NYSUT