Following up on yesterday's story about the tragic death of underage farmworker Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez, here is video from the farmworkers' march of Maria's fiancee, Florentino Bautista, telling the story of how corporate greed cost the life of the woman he loved:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Florentino.
Comments (2)
Comments posted to CtW Connect are the sole property of the individual posting them, and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Change to Win, its affiliated unions, or its leadership.
This is unreal. First I want to give my condolences to the family of Maria,Jose, Felix, Ramiro & Jorge. I find it so difficult to understand how this is still happening today. I was a migrant worker back in the 60's but I remember we never had that problem of abuse from our employer. They were very understanding, they knew that in order for us to work from sun up to sun down we were allowed to take breaks in between. But the inhumanity that is happening in beautiful California, is totally wrong. These people pick these vegetables and fruits that we all enjoy. Just the thought of sipping a glass of wine seems difficult for me to swallow. It's so bitter. I don't care to buy it. If this is what it takes to make people understand that they need to be more compassionate towards these individuals then they will have to pay the price. Get it through your head, they're human!! Give them a place in the middle of the field with shade and water please!! As I read about the passing of my family, I was crushed inside. I couldn't hold back the tears. I began to write a poem. I named it "Beautiful California,":
Blessed and fruitful you were destined to be
Sunny beaches, waterfalls and Yosemite
I'd raise a toast to this remarkable view
But Maria died today
Jon, Felix, Ramireo and Jorge did too.
The ground is fertile, producing fine delicacies
for man to eat
Keep us healthy as this food, enforce these laws
and protect us from the heat.
Posted by Guadalupe on August 14, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Posted on August 14, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I just wanted to express my condolences to Maria's Family, and to Florentino Bautista. We heard about this all the way in Hawaii, and feel really bad about what has happend. Thank you for standing up for your rights, and possibly saving many more lives, on behalf of Maria. God bless you all!
Aloha,
Jon Hookano
Posted by Jon Hookano on October 14, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Posted on October 14, 2008 at 5:36 PM