Category Archives: Uncategorized

Invitation to Fernando Pedraza Memorial Celebration on May 5, 10 AM at PEOC in Pomona

Because of construction on Arrow and Grove in Rancho Cucamonga, this year’s Fernando Pedraza Celebration and Memorial will take place at the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center (1682 W. Mission Blvd.) in Pomona on Monday, May 5 from 10 am – 12 noon.  You are invited to gather with us in remembrance of Fernando Pedraza – beloved day laborer, community member, and dedicated immigrant rights activist.  This annual event celebrates his life and legacy with music, food, and community.

 On Cinco de Mayo (May 5th), 2007, a spontaneous demonstration by the Minutemen against day laborers on the corner of Arrow Highway and Grove Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga, ended with the death of day laborer leader Jose Fernando Pedraza. Fifty-seven-year-old Pedraza died at the corner where he waited on a daily basis for one-day jobs. It is also the corner where Pedraza organized other day laborers to defend their rights. In 2002, Pedraza was part of a court case against the City of Rancho Cucamonga who wanted to enforce a law disallowing day laborers to gather on the street. In the recent months before his death, Pedraza had attended several meetings of the Rancho Cucamonga city council to support his fellow day laborers so that they could have a job center where they could be safe from hate-based attacks and traffic accidents.
Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, National Day Labor Organizing Network, Latino and Latina Roundtable, Community Engagement Center, Radio Jornalera

Supporting State Senator Maria Elena Durazo

Supporting State Senator María Elena Durazo for L A County Supervisor District 1 at Pomona Meet and Greet – organized by host committee made up of Jorge Marquez, Nora Garcia and Mark Ramos – with packed attendance of community leaders from Pomona, Eastern San Gabriel Valley, and area cities. A fundraiser is being organized for Sunday, July 13 at UFCW 1428. She’s a graduate of St. Mary’s College, where she was part of the Chicano Movement. She began organizing for the textile workers union as she worked toward a law degree at People’s College of Law. She was the executive vice president of UNITE-HERE International and the first woman Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

21st Annual Cesar Chavez Breakfast

Thank you to the LRT staff, board, members, and volunteers for putting together a 21st César Chávez Breakfast celebration that will be remembered as well-organized, well-attended, and spirited. And yes – the emceeing by musician and activist artist Martha Gonzalez went beyond the beyond with the inclusion of her musical talents – adding to the always inspiring movement songs by Son Real. It really exemplified the combination of keeping a grass-roots character with representation from networks across the gamut of unions, friends in positions, non-profits, faith-based, and community-based organizations that have been so much a part of our common organizing efforts. The honorees were moved and moved all of us with their words. We certainly were moved by the sacrifices of the NDLON second responders in leading fire life brigades that cleared 3,000 tons of debris – work that would go unnoticed if it was not for the thoughtful consciousness of bringing them to center stage. And what great work on the scholarship nominees that fully represented the connections between education and engagement! And so thankful that we included, no matter what, the forming of a circle, and with Son Real, the singing of De Colores. There was so much heart to this event – and sets a very high standard for the future.