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UID:Indybay-18879356
SEQUENCE:19053613
CREATED:20250829T071000Z
DESCRIPTION:Community leaders to launch hunger strike in front of 
 Driscoll’s\n\nStrike to call on corporate leaders to stop toxic 
 pesticides and go organic near schools and homes in Watsonville and the 
 Pajaro Valley\n\nOn Tuesday Watsonville activist Omar Dieguez and community 
 leaders will hold a press conference and rally announcing a 30-day hunger 
 strike, protesting the use of toxic pesticides near homes and schools in 
 Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley. Strikers will call on Driscoll’s 
 leaders to transition their fields near homes and schools to organic, 
 thereby stopping the use of toxic pesticides. \n\nBackground\n\nThe Pajaro 
 Valley in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties is one of the berry growing 
 capitals of the world and is the home of corporate berry giant 
 Driscoll’s. Every year over 1 million pounds of toxic pesticides are used 
 in the region, mostly to grow berries for export. Some of these pesticides 
 are known to cause cancer, learning disabilities, and others cause 
 respiratory and other health problems. \n\nSanta Cruz County has one of the 
 highest rates of childhood cancer in the State and the Pajaro Valley 
 Unified School District has many students with learning disabilities. 
 \n\nMeanwhile, the Pajaro Valley is also a leader in organic agriculture, 
 home to the successful company Lakeside Organics, and recent surveys show 
 about 20 percent of the farmland in the Pajaro Valley is organic.  \n\nOmar 
 Dieguez is a longtime community activist and leader who has worked to 
 empower youth to work for social justice. His effort is united with the 
 Campaign for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture’s goal for fields near 
 schools and homes to go organic.\n\n\nWho: Watsonville activist Omar 
 Dieguez, several other community leaders who will fast for various lengths, 
 joined by dozens of community members, students, religious leaders and 
 supporters of the Campaign for Organic & Regenerative Agriculture. Signs, 
 maps, and banners will be displayed.\n\nWhen: Tuesday, September 2nd at 
 4pm-530pm\n\nWhere: Sidewalk at 345 Westridge Drive, Watsonville \n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2025/08/29/18879356.php
SUMMARY:Community Leaders to Launch Hunger Strike in Front of Driscoll’s
LOCATION:Sidewalk at 345 Westridge Drive, Watsonville
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2025/08/29/18879356.php
DTSTART:20250902T230000Z
DTEND:20250903T003000Z
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