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WATER March

The California March for Water began its rally and walk to bring awareness about the economic hardship caused by the regulatory drought and zero water supplies to agriculture.

The California Latino Water Coalition (CLWC) is coordinating the four-day event, led by actor/comedian and CLWC Chair Paul Rodriguez. A kick-off rally was held in Mendota on Tuesday, April 14.  The event will conclude with another rally on Friday, April 17 at 11 a.m. at San Luis Reservoir near Los Banos.

Rodriguez was joined by elected officials and civic leaders and media personalities. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Senator Dianne Feinstein have been invited to participate in Friday’s rally, which will call on federal authorities and state legislators to address this year’s critically low water supply and future anticipated shortages in the state’s water system.

At the rally, Rodriguez called for the California State Legislature to "grow a backbone" when it comes to addressing California water supply problems. "This shouldn't even be an issue. We suffer a lack of determination in the people we sent to office," Rodriguez said. He emphasized the people are not asking for charity; they want water and jobs.

Marchers will cover the 50-mile route over four days as a way to spotlight California’s water crisis, calling for action focusing on three goals to bring about a reliable water supply and improved water quality for all of California: 

  • To temporarily and immediately relieve severe Endangered Species Act standards that are preventing much needed pumping from the Delta to other regions of California.
  • To urge state legislators to agree on one comprehensive water plan to put before voters as a bond measure in the next election. 
  • To call for public funds for those facing remarkable hardship and federal stimulus dollars to address shovel-ready water infrastructure projects.

 

Farm employees from Mendota, from left, Sylvia Estrada, Yolanda Ramos, and Michela Cruz brought signs and were ready to march.

 

 

 

 

 

From left, Piedad Ayala, of the Riverdale-based Ayala Corporation farm labor service, and Sharon Wakefield, a grower on the west side of Fresno County get ready for the rally.

 

 

 

 

 

Maria Cermno, a farm worker, carried the message for employees from the La Jolla and San Andreas Farms.

 

 

 

 

 

Marta Llnares, at right, and Samuel Hernandez carried signs as part of the California March for Water rally held in Mendota on April 14.

 

 

 

 

 

Farm Bureau members, from left, Paul Betancourt, FCFB past president; Debbie Jacobsen, CFBF Board member; Diana Westmoreland Pedrozo, Merced FB executive director; and Mari Locke Martin, of Pikalok Farms, Firebaugh, showed their support at the rally on April 14.