"Como trabajadores y mujeres, tenemos que luchar por nuestros derechos y contra la violencia tanto en la labor como en la casa"
"As women and as workers, we have to fight for our rights and against violence both in the fields and in our own homes"
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Every year is the Year of the Worker in Immokalee,
because Immokalee is a town of workers. The
community grew out of the need for labor created
by the agricultural industry in Florida and
its fight for better wages and labor relations
is what has put it on the map today. This banner,
created by several CIW members, reflects that
fight, depicting the upcoming march on Taco
Bell headquarters in Irvine, California.
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As the 2004 party got started, the line was
long (and a little unruly...) at the sign-up
table, where people filled out surveys on the
CIW's new low-power FM radio station (letting
their preferences for music, language, and program
content be known for the radio team putting
the new station on the air) while others signed
up for the Truth Tour in February.
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But once the music started, the party really
got going, with a record five bands playing
this year.
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And, of course, the biggest crowd-pleaser was
again, as always, Fernando Arau of "Despierta
America," Univision's incredibly popular
national morning show.
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An as always, Fernando's jokes and heartfelt solidarity
brought smiles to faces, young and old. |
But this time, Fernando brought a friend... Ana
Maria Canseco, a co-host on Despierta America.
The dynamic between the created a scene that,
if possible, topped even Fernando's unforgettable
appearances at past Year of the Worker events. |
The two, joined by Lucas Benitez of the CIW, acknowledged
the crowd's applause... |
Then posed for the first of what must have been
hundreds of photos with appreciative CIW members. |
And appreciative we were. We conclude the report
from the 2004 Year of the Worker Party with this
montage... |
a montage of the faces of the CIW...
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faces of Immokalee...
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... faces of people who have one day a year to celebrate
their tremendous contribution to this country, and
that day -- in Immokalee -- is the CIW's Year of
the Worker Party. See you in 2005! |
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