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
