Join farmworker leaders from Community to Community (C2C) in an historic march in rural Whatcom County. The march starts in Lynden at sunrise, 4:30am, typical starting time in the fields for farmworkers.
We will be joined by the National Farm Worker Ministry and local Faith Community leaders as well as worker leaders from the National Food Chain Workers Alliance, WA State Labor Council and leaders from the environmental movement. We invite our friends, supporters and allies to accompany us.
This will be a day long reflection on a day in the life of a farmworker; from the time they start work until their day ends. Walk with us on country roads that border Canada and acres of raspberry and blueberry fields where the fresh berries that are stocked on your grocery shelves are harvested. See the heart of the local agricultural economy and reflect on climate change, our local food system, community building and labor issues in Whatcom County from a farm worker perspective. We will end at Camp Zapata with a vigil, food and celebration, speakers, and music.
The entire march is 12 miles, the average number of hours a farm worker is in the fields during peak season - there will be 2 additional starting points for those that cannot start with us at 5:30am - with shuttles available.
MARCH SCHEDULE
5:15-5:30 am Please arrive between 5:15-5:30 am in the parking lot of Mom's Bar and Grill (8874 Bender Road, Lynden, WA 98264) for a sunrise ceremony. There will be hot coffee and chorizo burritos, donations accepted. The march will take off from there.
8:00 am Join the march in the Nooksack Casino parking lot (9750 Northwood Road, Lynden, WA 98264). This will be a brief stop for light refreshments.
10:30 am Join the march at Sumas Border Patrol Station (9648 Garrison Road, Sumas, WA 98295) for a rally. We will be speaking out against the inhumane, unjust system of detentions and deportations that creates an artificial "worker shortage" to justify the use of H2A, a quasi slave labor force contracted in Mexico.
12:00 pm Join the march at Sarbanand Farms (4625 Rock Road, Sumas, WA 98295) for a Peoples' Tribunal demanding justice for their role in the death of a farmworker in Whatcom County, and their multiple abuses against farmworkers, our local food system, and Mother Earth.
1:30 pm Join the march as it ends at Camp Zapata (9295 Telegraph Road, Sumas, WA 98295) for a celebration! NOTE: There will be no parking at Camp Zapata, so if you are not marching to Camp Zapata, contact Liz by phone (360) 220-9065 or email c2cmedia@foodjustice.org to coordinate shuttle rides to arrive at the final location or to get on the list for carpool.
To Volunteer, donate funds or sign up for a potluck dish e-mail us at c2clogistics@foodjustice.org