UFW letter of support to Fasters and March 4 Education folks...

UNITED FARM WORKERS of AMERICA, AFL-CIO
National Headquarters: La Paz • P.O. Box 62 • Keene, California 93531
Telephone: (661) 822-5571 • Fax: (661) 823-6177
Web Site: http://www.ufw.org • E-mail: execoffice [at] ufwmail.com

To the “March 4 Education” and those Fasting for Education,

On behalf of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO, I would like to send our support for your action. Your decision to sacrifice your bodies to demand that equal education be guaranteed to all children regardless of their income or ethnic background has earned our deepest respect. More importantly, we understand that your Fast requires an immediate response from State Superintendent of Public Education Jack O’Connell and Governor Schwarzenegger and we will commit to encouraging our members to take action in support of this righteous cause.

As you already know our founder Cesar E. Chavez used the tactic of the “Fast” and succeeded in drawing national attention to the use of pesticides. Cesar stated,
“The fast is also an act of penance for those in positions of moral authority and for all men and women activists who know what is right and just, who know that they could and should do more.”

What you are doing is right and just and more could not be asked of you. We pray for your health. We pray that the State Superintendent and the Governor concede to your demands, taking immediate action to ensure the health of West Contra Costa and Oakland Unified School Districts, and public education as a whole.

In Solidarity
Si Se Puede!

Arturo S. Rodríguez
President-United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO

Cc: Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent of Public Education
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor, State of California

SI SE PUEDE!