California Farm Workers Announce 3-Day Strike Against ICE Raids and Deportations

Farm Workers Announce Strike

• 🎯 Approximately 50 undocumented farm workers in Los Angeles announced a three-day strike.
• ✊ Their demands include an end to ICE raids and deportations and a pathway to citizenship.
• 🗓️ The strike is scheduled to take place from July 16th to July 18th.

Context of the Strike

• ⚠️ The strike follows a recent large-scale ICE raid on two cannabis farms where 200 farm workers were detained.
• 😟 This raid has caused significant fear and anxiety within the farmworker community, with some avoiding Hispanic grocery stores.
• 🗣️ Rally organizers emphasized their crucial role in the food system, stating, "We are the backbone of our food system and we are tired of being treated as disposable."

Worker Sentiments and Union Stance

• ✊ One worker dramatically threw his tax records on the ground, proclaiming, "I'm not a criminal."
• 📢 This action highlights the workers' desire to be recognized as human beings, not criminals or disposable labor.
• 🤝 The strike was organized as a grassroots effort and was not officially sanctioned by the United Farm Workers (UFW).
• 💬 A UFW spokesperson stated they support workers taking action but noted that effective strikes require extensive planning and organization.