We were just planning on getting out of the office for a day. I’d discussed going to the San Joaquin Valley with Victor Alemán, our photo editor. Reporting in the farming community would make for great photography and could help remind our readers of the origins of their food. It’s always fascinated me to see how farmers grow crops and agriculture often reminds me of the Lord’s parables. I’m more mindful of the process during Lent.
As the trip to San Joaquin Valley unfolded, we found that the anxiety felt among the immigrant community in Los Angeles was also felt by the farmworkers. We decided to package the article together with an interview with Dolores Huerta and coverage of the Immigration Day of Action, at Dolores Mission. The articles would be ready to print March 31, 2017 — Cesar Chavez Day. It felt providential. We didn't plan it this way.
Fear in the valley of tears: How tough talk on immigration is frightening farmworkers
‘¬°Si se puede!’: Dolores Huerta discusses the legacy and lessons of the UFW
Church, city share resources with anxious immigrant community
In his address at the World Meeting of Popular Movements Feb. 17 in Modesto, Archbishop José H. Gomez said that Cesar Chavez continues to be a model for how to stand up for human dignity.
“We cannot let our judgment to get clouded by our frustrations and fears,” the archbishop said during the meeting. “We cannot allow our Christian voice to be reduced to just one more partisan voice on this issue.”
We hope that these articles serve as a reminder of the peaceful nonviolence demonstrated by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.
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J.D. Long García, Editor-in-Chief
