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About 40 United Farm Workers members and supporters walk along the western frontage road of Highway 99, just south of Peltier Road, on Sunday. The march began with about 500 supporters. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)

500 march on behalf of fallen teen farm worker

By Ross Farrow
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Monday, June 2, 2008 7:33 AM PDT

Comments (64 comment(s))

Some 500 people from Lodi and other agricultural regions marched in solidarity Sunday through Lodi and Acampo in search of improved working conditions for farm workers.

Today, after a breakfast cooked by parishioners at St. Christopher's Catholic Church and a special prayer and blessing by Father Robert Copsey, farm workers and their supporters will walk to Thornton on their way to the State Capitol. They hope to reach the Capitol by noon Wednesday.

Called a pilgrimage, the walk is in honor of Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez, the 17-year-old Lodi girl who died on May 16 after working in 95-degree heat two days earlier at West Coast Grape Farming in Farmington.

Jimenez's funeral on Wednesday at St. Anne's Catholic Church attracted Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who pledged to further strengthen enforcement of laws regarding farm workers toiling in extreme heat.

On Sunday, family members and United Farm Workers members attended the Spanish-language Mass at St. Anne's at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday before marching toward Sacramento.

Most of the approximately 500 marchers stopped on Acampo Road for lunch, and those who came on one of the 10 charter buses from out of town had to go home, UFW President Arturo Rodriguez said. That left only about 40 to march the rest of the way to Galt, where they were welcomed with a large dinner by St. Christopher's parish members.

Buses came from the southern San Joaquin, Salinas, Napa and Sonoma valleys.

While walking on the western frontage road off Highway 99 near Acampo Road on Sunday afternoon, long-time Lodi resident Maria Zamora recalled having to walk up to 10 minutes to the restroom when she was a farm worker about five years ago.

Meanwhile, Alma Rodriguez wasn't aware of the march until she attended Sunday's Mass. She then decided to join them.


Arturo Rodriguez, left, president of the United Farm Workers, talks to a TV reporter outside of St. Anne's Catholic Church on Sunday as supporters wave signs urging better conditions for farm workers. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)

"I wanted to support the girl," Rodriguez said. "I don't know if I can walk every day."

A Lodi resident, Vargas is a housekeeping employee at Lodi Memorial Hospital, so her job will keep her there instead of pounding the pavement today through Wednesday.

The United Farm Workers union became involved after Jimenez's uncle, Doroteo, sought assistance from the union about the working conditions surrounding Jimenez's death.

Jimenez's death drew much greater publicity than the 2005 death of Maria Laticia Fonseca Quintero, 37, of Galt, who was crushed by a grape harvester.

Reyna Castellano of Porterville, UFW's external coordinator who arranged lunch and dinner for the marchers, said she wasn't familiar with Quintero's death, but the union won't get in the middle of something unless their assistance is requested.


Maria Zamora, of Lodi, taking a break in Acampo, shows her pride for the United Farm Workers and her support for the late Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)

Castellano said that after working with St. Christopher's parishioners in Galt on Saturday and Sunday to host the UFW members marching to Sacramento, she now has more contacts in Galt. She said she would hope that Galt farm workers will contact the union in the event tragedy or some kind of perceived injustice happens in the Galt area.

Neither Jimenez nor anyone in her family were United Farm Workers members, Rodriguez acknowledged. She also was an undocumented worker, he added.

Rodriguez said he will make some requests once the union reaches the State Capitol on Wednesday, but he wouldn't say beforehand what those requests will be.


Alma Vargas shows her United Farm Workers flag during a break in the group's pilgrimage Sunday on the western frontage road of Highway 99. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)

The pilgrimage took a rather circuitous route to Galt. In fact, they called it a day at about 7:30 p.m. on Woodson Road near Forest Lake Golf Course. They took cars the rest of the way to St. Christopher's, where parishioners had a large feast waiting for them.

Some in the pilgrimage spent the night at the old St. Christopher's chapel on Third and F streets, while others stayed at parishioners' homes. Today, the itinerary calls for a special prayer and blessing by Copsey at St. Christopher's and breakfast cooked by the parish before returning to Woodson Road and continuing their walk.

They are due at Mater Ecclesiae Catholic Church in Thornton late today, said Paula Soto, who is organizing the Thornton gathering.

The route

United Farm Workers members and the family of the late Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez plan to walk about 40 miles to the State Capitol by Wednesday. Here is the itinerary:

  • Sunday — Mass at St. Anne's Catholic Church on West Walnut Street in Lodi. From there, they walked west on Walnut, north on Hutchins Street, northwest on Holly Drive, north on Mills Avenue, west on Turner Road, north on Lower Sacramento Road, east on Acampo Road, north on the western frontage road of Highway 99 and northwest on Woodson Road almost to Lower Sacramento Road. They took cars to St. Christopher's Catholic Church in Galt.

  • Today — Special prayer and blessing by Father Robert Copsey at 8 a.m. at St. Christopher's, breakfast at St. Christopher's, walk to Mater Ecclesiae Catholic Church in Thornton. The official itinerary provided by United Farm Workers indicates that they will be received at Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel in Thornton, but Paula Soto, who is organizing the Thornton event, said on Sunday that it would be at Mater Ecclesiae.

  • Tuesday — Walk from Thornton to St. Luke's Lutheran Church in South Sacramento.

  • Wednesday: Arrive at State Capitol at about noon.

    Source: United Farm Workers

    • United Farm Workers at a glance

    Founded: 1962, when Cesar Chavez resigned from the community Service Organization after the group refused to commit to organizing farm workers. He and his family moved to Delano and dedicated himself full-time to organizing farm workers.

    Mission statement: "To provide farm workers and other working people with the inspiration and tools to share in society's bounty."

    President: Arturo Rodriguez, who took over the head position when Chavez died in 1993.

    Offices: Throughout the United States, but California offices are in Delano, Oxnard, Watsonville, Greenfield and Santa Rosa.

    Source: United Farm Workers

    Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

    Reader Feedback

    lodi boy wrote on Jun 7, 2008 10:37 PM:

    " Shut up about racism! Mexican IS NOT A RACE.
    Ugh. So many uneducated, ignorant fools rampant on this post.

    Mexicans can be any color, so people - stop crying racism or arguing about it. "

    Report Abuse

    luvlodi wrote on Jun 6, 2008 6:37 PM:

    " SIGH! AND MAY PEACE BE WITH YOU. MANY PPL HAVE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE, TOO BAD THEY DONT USE IT TO HELP THE HUMAN RACE! "

    Report Abuse

    SportsGuru wrote on Jun 6, 2008 11:45 AM:

    " .
    MY PREDICTION AS TO WHAT COMES NEXT..

    My posts will be labeled RACIST and I will be accused of being an "Uncle Thomas" because despite having ancestors who came from Mexico - I don't espouse MECHa values! "

    Report Abuse

    SportsGuru wrote on Jun 6, 2008 11:20 AM:

    " .
    It is unfortunate situations like these that Hispanic Nationalist organizations (like Mecha) mobilize to cry RACISM!

    Read through the links that I put up so you can understand what is going on under the surface here.

    MECHA, and similar organizations, believe the US took the states in the US southwest - and they want to reclaim them for Mexico (or worse, to create their own land).

    This is somewhat like what is going on between the Israeli's and Palestinians. Be mindful of this, because left unchecked, the US could potentially face something similar in the not-too-distant future.

    Mexico is a nice country, but the UNITED STATES has made my life and that of my family very prosperous. It is MEXICAN POLITCAL CORRUPTION that makes it impossible for Mexicans to live and "America-like" existence in their own land.

    The only revolution mexicans should be talking about, is a revolution against their own political system. "

    Report Abuse

    midtowner wrote on Jun 6, 2008 11:02 AM:

    " Now I feel sort of sorry for luv. He is just ignorant, well maybe not, he is uninformed and illiterate. Yes, I feel sorry for him. "

    Report Abuse

    SportsGuru wrote on Jun 6, 2008 10:59 AM:

    " FROM THE NATIONAL MECHa WEBSITE:

    "MEChA must bring to the mind of every young Chicana and Chicano that the liberation of her/his people from prejudice and oppression is in her/his hands and this responsibility is greater than personal achievement and more meaningful than degrees, especially if they are earned at the expense of her/his identity and cultural integrity. MEChA, then, is more than a name; it is a spirit of unity, of sisterhood and brotherhood, and a resolve to undertake a struggle for liberation in society where justice is but a word. MEChA is a means to an end" (El Plan de Santa Barbara)." "

    Report Abuse

    SportsGuru wrote on Jun 6, 2008 10:57 AM:

    " .
    My Grandmother came to this country from Mexico to BECOME AN AMERICAN. MOST (but not all) of the illegal immigrants of today come here for two reasons:

    1) To send money back home to Mexico
    (US Dollars being sent back to Mexico are estimated to be that country's THIRD largest revenue generating component of the economy)

    2) To populate the southwest US so that someday (they hope) it can be reclaimed by Mexico

    See: http://www.nationalmecha.org/about.html

    Keep in mind that the term "Aztln" to refers to the lands that were annexed by the United States as a result of the Mexican-American War (Texas, Arizona, California, etc). "

    Report Abuse

    SportsGuru wrote on Jun 6, 2008 10:44 AM:

    " .
    To LuvLodi...

    WHICH language is REALLY easier to learn?

    ENGLISH SPANISH

    I Am estoy
    You Are ests
    He/She Is est
    We Are estamos
    You Are (plural) estis
    They Are estn "

    Report Abuse

    Audi 5000 wrote on Jun 6, 2008 9:39 AM:

    " You pointed out the English language illiteracy of the Mexicans, not I. You turned the conversation into a race issue, not I. You seem to have racial issues. The person who cries RACIST first is usually the most flagrant racist. "

    Report Abuse

    luvlodi wrote on Jun 6, 2008 7:19 AM:

    " Audi 5000 wrote on Jun 5, 2008 8:02 AM:

    " luvlodi: how embarrassing for the Mexicans that they are unable to learn the language and culture in the country where they are living, yet the "whites", as you say, have learned Spanish.

    HERE WE GO AGAIN POINTING AT THE MEXICANS. ENGLISH IS A VERY DIFFICULT LANGUAGE TO LEARN. NOW , WAIT A MINUTE BECAUSE I AGREE WITH YOU. I STRONGLY DO BELIEVE THAT PPL WHO COME HERE FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND PLAN TO LIVE HERE SHOULD MAKE EVERY ATTEMPT TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE. BUT IN ALL HONESTLY, I BELIEVE THE REASON MOST OF THEM DONT DO IT ANYMORE IS BEACUSE, OF ALL THE SPANISH THERE IS ALREADY. YOU SEE THE SPANISH LANGUAGE BASICALLY EVERYWHERE!! ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE EVERYONE WILL BE SPEAKING IT. THE TRUTH MIGHT HURT, BUT IT'S HAPPENING!

    SI SE PUEDE!! "

    Report Abuse

    luvlodi wrote on Jun 6, 2008 7:10 AM:

    " RACISM!RACISM! IN ALL THE WORDS THAT ALL OF YOU USE, THAT'S ALL THERE IS RACISM! THIS ENTIRE SUBJECT, IS ABOUT A YOUNG LADY WHO LOST HER LIFE!! WHY IS IT WRONG TO HAVE A MARCH AND ASK FOR STRONGER LAWS? IT HAS NOTHING TO DO IF THE PERSON WAS HERE LEGAL OR NOT. AMERICANS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO BLAME. JUST LIKE THEY DID WHEN THE TRAGIC 911 OCCURRED. HATING ALL THE ISLAMIC PPL. LIKE I SAID IT BEFORE, I DONT THINK THIS WAS GOD'S PURPOSE WHEN HE MADE THIS WORLD. BUT STILL MANY OF THE KKK HERE IN LODI, HIDE BEHIND CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS. IM SURE THERE SHOWING THEIR CHILDREN GREAT MORAL VALUES. "

    Report Abuse

    Gator wrote on Jun 5, 2008 2:33 PM:

    " Luvlodi, Question have you ever heard the term Okie They were the migrant workers who worked the fields picked the crops till the late 50s.They came out of the dust
    bowl and came west to make money and all they got was to treated like dogs ,run out
    of town and beaten. The ones who road the rails were pulled of the trains and beaten
    and some times killed by so called Rail Road dicks. Thornton California was a very large
    migrant camp where a friend of mine was born. You complain about working conditions,
    friend you havent a clue as to what really bad conditions are. I have a suggestion go to
    Barnes and Noble, look up John Steinbeck and buy Tobacco Road, Grapes of wrath and
    Our winter of DiscontentThen you can see how folks were treated before the wetbacks came north then you can thank your lucky stars you have the UFWOne
    last item learn English it will serve you well "

    Report Abuse

    midtowner wrote on Jun 5, 2008 9:52 AM:

    " Audi: you are an intellect and a scholar. Your points are valid, unfortunately, our society is catering to individauls like luv which contributes to the financial hardship placed on our economy. "

    Report Abuse

    Audi 5000 wrote on Jun 5, 2008 8:17 AM:

    " Nearly every immigrant that has come to the U.S., and especially California, has had to worked in the fields. Historically, these groups of people were proud to be in the U.S.A. and did everything they could to be a part of the system here, while still cherishing their heritage. They were grateful for the opportunities afforded to them by this great country. No assistance or handouts were needed or wanted. They were proud, self sufficient and hard working. They succeeded and made a positive contribution to society.

    Most all of us share a heritage of field and farm labor regardless of our ancestors' country of origin. Fewer of us also share the common link of taking personal responsibility for our future and have pride in the U.S.A. "

    Report Abuse

    Audi 5000 wrote on Jun 5, 2008 8:02 AM:

    " luvlodi: how embarrassing for the Mexicans that they are unable to learn the language and culture in the country where they are living, yet the "whites", as you say, have learned Spanish.

    It's obvious you lack an education and therefore don't see the value in one, so you can't even begin to understand the need for self-improvement.

    Your attitude is the reason for the perpetuation of poverty. Nothing is gained by an unwillingness to assimilate and improve.

    Utilice el cerebro. "

    Report Abuse

    luvlodi wrote on Jun 4, 2008 10:04 PM:

    " BREAKING NEWS!! THE PRICE FOR TOMATE'S JUST WENT UP!! ITS SO NICE TO GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND LISTEN TO MANY WHITE CHILDREN SPEAK AND READ SPANISH! ALL THE SPANISH CHANNELS ON THE TELEVISION,(I REMEMBER WHEN THERE WAS JUST ONE)MANY SIGNS AROUND THE CITY BOTH IN ENGLISH/SPANISH! HEY!! WHAT ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY'S!!! FOR GOODNESS SAKES, EVEN THE VOTING BALLOTS ARE IN SPANISH! YOU CAN PLACE VOTE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH!! I LUV LODI!! "

    Report Abuse

    Audi 5000 wrote on Jun 4, 2008 8:34 AM:

    " Cheap labor is a myth. Illegals clog up the court system with the various crimes and drugs that come with them, drag down the schools by being English illiterates, lowering standards, and receiving free breakfast, lunch, daycare, and ESL night classes from the schools, draining the health care system by bringing in new diseases and unlimited free health care, more graffiti, more trash, and so on. Because of illegals, law-abiding citizens pay higher taxes, higher insurance rates, and suffer a lower quality of life.

    Cheap labor is a myth!

    I'd rather pay more for tomatoes. "

    Report Abuse

    luvlodi wrote on Jun 4, 2008 7:04 AM:

    " midtowner wrote on Jun 3, 2008 3:28 PM:

    " Hey luvlodi: your idiodic posts deserve no response. How about having your mommy proof read your posts before you send? "


    LMAO!! ARE WE IN KINDERGARTEN AGAIN??
    THANK YOU FOR MAKING US ALL LAUGH. NOW GO BACK TO WATCHING JERRY SPRINGER WOULDNT WANT YOU TO MISS ANYTHING! LOL "

    Report Abuse

    luvlodi wrote on Jun 4, 2008 7:02 AM:

    " EJEM! GALT CITIZEN, FIRST PERSON I AGREE WITH, LIKE YOU SAID MOST PPL ARE RACIST, ABOUT TOU SUPPORTING THIS LITTLE WITH YOUR TAXES, NO LOVE THATS NOT HOW IT WORKS, ACTUALLY SHE WOULD BE SUPPORTING YOU, EJEM! DONT FORGET NOW, THESE "ILLEGALS" CANNOT CLAIM TAXES, SOOO THAT MEANS YOU GET IT "ALL"! (SIGH) PPL JUST WILL NEVER GET IT!

    VOTE! OBAMA!!! "

    Report Abuse

    galt citizen wrote on Jun 3, 2008 8:24 PM:

    " wow! 43 postings! I love Lodi. Most residents are racist and fully support sending these illegals back where they came from. While its sad this girl died, she should not have been here in the first place. Her employer should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If she had not died, I am sure my tax dollars would be supporting her and her baby! Lets march for the poor woman who was ran over by an illegal. Enough is enough! We need to send these people back as soon as possible. I'm tired of supporting them. "

    Report Abuse

    midtowner wrote on Jun 3, 2008 8:24 PM:

    " luv: nice try. "

    Report Abuse

    luvlodi wrote on Jun 3, 2008 5:37 PM:

    " lol @midtowner ....thank you for making my day my dear, its ppl like you that give the rest of us strength. These so called LaRaza groups will never die, and we owe it all to ppl just like you. Once again thank you, beacuse of your kind of ppl, we will someday take over our lands once again. Until that day comes, May God Bless You All!

    "I HAVE A DREAM" MARTIN LUTHER KING JR
    "VIVA LA HUELGA" CESAR CHAVEZ "

    Report Abuse

    midtowner wrote on Jun 3, 2008 3:28 PM:

    " Hey luvlodi: your idiodic posts deserve no response. How about having your mommy proof read your posts before you send? "

    Report Abuse

    LodiJoe wrote on Jun 3, 2008 10:36 AM:

    " Why doesn't the Border Patrol and Immigration Dept. police these farm labor camps? You know they are housing hundreds of illegals. Don't give me the old bs about nobody else will do the work they do... "

    Report Abuse

    Giovanina wrote on Jun 3, 2008 9:39 AM:

    " UFW= some of the biggest racists you will ever see marching. Right up there with NCLR. "

    Report Abuse

    Giovanina wrote on Jun 3, 2008 9:37 AM:

    " It is about time that Americans blatantly show these LaRazas that we are not going to become LaRazas. The PC attitude of this country has suppressed patriotism. Anyone who is for American culture is called a uneducated "hater" while the culture of law breaking is seen as intellectual "progress". People with no common sense believe that piling more and more uneducated, unskilled, people, illegally, will make our country better. "

    Report Abuse

    Metric Time System wrote on Jun 3, 2008 9:23 AM:

    " Whose bright idea was it to march in live traffic? It's a wonder someone wasn't killed because of their ignorance. "

    Report Abuse

    luvlodi wrote on Jun 3, 2008 8:47 AM:

    " " Where are these people to protest when a drunk driving illegal kills an innocent person? "

    Exactly I rest my case, thats because many ppl dont care, dont know what unity is, all they care about is ME ME ME, maybe you should go out there and make a difference, not just complain about it. "

    Report Abuse

    luvlodi wrote on Jun 3, 2008 8:41 AM:

    " MIDTOWNER: What I would like to know is , Who were your ancestors? Like you said "Im undereducated" So educate me....Im all ears OH WISE ONE! And I have every right! My father, worked in the fields and died for this country, two of my bros are now serving this country, so for you to tell me that I have no right OH YES I DO!! But its really more the right a human being has regardless of the country they are in. What are you teaching your children? If you have them? HATE? "

    Report Abuse

    luvlodi wrote on Jun 3, 2008 8:06 AM:

    " Many of these ppl left their jobs up south to come and show support. Their boss' back home support them and applaud them for doing so. About the union taking their money, well its worth it. Like I said it always, all these ppl pay taxex have them be here legal or illegally, and do they claim their taxes back?? NO.... so I believe its equal, someone said they make billions lol here and take back home lmao! again "IGNORANCE" give me one name of that billionar lol... I would like to meet him, In all honestly I know that ppl are always complaining, about these "ILLEGAL" immigrants taking over their jobs and their education. Ppl just cant handle, that many of these immigrants can do a better job, Why? because they have dignity, dreams, goals, and great accomplishments. But of course knowing Lodi, we all know there is a lot of racism, but that wont bother me one bit, at the end of the road we all know this wasnt God's purpose when he created this world, and at the end of our times we are going to same place, white,black,brown,yellow, purple! "

    Report Abuse

    papercut wrote on Jun 2, 2008 8:35 PM:

    " Sam, you're right on the money. This thing that cals itself a farm workers union and these dishonest labor contractors are the same ones who put growers and farmers like yourself in jeopardy by KNOWINGLY putting these illegal and underage workers in your field. The state needs to be more responsible in regulating these contractors and it should be a one-strike scenario. Hasn't this contractor had two prior violations? And who allowed them to continue carry on with their same practices with no serious repercussions? The state should require certified payrolls on all of these contractors. Don't you think you'd get a little more work from many of those workers if they were getting a fair slice of the pie, rather than the exhorbitant fee they pay to the contractor? There needs to be proper regulation for these unscrupulous contractors that have no value of human life. Hope those cherries are in and have a nice evening sam. "

    Report Abuse

    T & C wrote on Jun 2, 2008 7:49 PM:

    " "In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
    Theodore Roosevelt 1907 "

    Report Abuse

    T & C wrote on Jun 2, 2008 7:47 PM:

    " Hey wdbdgdad! You will never see this much fuss over any crime, injury or death caused by someone who is illegally in America! You wait and see if I am wrong! Hillary and Obama will grant immediate and unconditional Amnesty to all who are illegally here! Ofcourse they will have 10 other's swear they have been here 2 years to get that amnesty! Immediate amnesty means there is no need to learn to read, write or speak English! No need to learn our laws! Hillary and Obama will say Amnesty stops Identity theft!Momma's with Anchor Babies do not work, they get Welfare, Food Stamps, free Medical and every handout they can get!! "

    Report Abuse

    T & C wrote on Jun 2, 2008 7:41 PM:

    " no problem LodiJoe, we all make mistakes! Have a great day! Raymond. "

    Report Abuse

    sam wrote on Jun 2, 2008 7:31 PM:

    " papercut said "If they were any kind of union or compassionate about these illegals, they'd assure us that they were really here legally."

    AMEN. OR they would help them with the appropriate papers to become documented workers.

    Just a thought... ya think we should invade Mexico and take over the country?? They all want to be here. Let's bring the USA down to Mexico. "

    Report Abuse

    s & W 500 wrote on Jun 2, 2008 6:45 PM:

    " Illegal immigration needs attention! NO assistance should be given to any "border brother/sister" (period).

    Do it right, or go home. Our schools are overcrowed by whom? Who is paying for their education? Who are those committing the majority of crimes in Lodi? Who are the people shooting first, and asking no questions?

    Our Country is going down the pot, DUE TO ILLEGALS! Some are here for the right reason, but they are few and far between in my book!

    BTW, I am white, have worked in the fields, and lived in Mexico.
    Don't tell me what I know! I have been there and done that! "

    Report Abuse

    papercut wrote on Jun 2, 2008 6:21 PM:

    " Channel 10 news at 6 reports that out of 500 or so marchers there are only about a dozen left before even reaching Elk Grove. Just a gigantic publicity stunt by LaRaza farm workers union to look like they really care about these illegals while only picking their pockets for their own paychecks. If they were any kind of union or compassionate about these illegals, they'd assure us that they were really here legally. They are responsible for their own problem by agreeing to work in the fields knowing they'll be cheated of much of their paycheck by paying the contractor about a third off the top. No guts, no glory. "

    Report Abuse

    dogs4you wrote on Jun 2, 2008 6:06 PM:

    " Well said Sam: Taking a look at the feedback, the UFW had better due more than collect dues and organize protests. wdbadgdad: of course there wasn`t a protest for that woman that was killed by that drunk Mexican in her own driveway, she wasn`t a Mexican. I can only hope he gets a "hanging" judge and gets the maxium sentence, and then deported. Not much love going around on this feed back. "

    Report Abuse

    sam wrote on Jun 2, 2008 5:37 PM:

    " wdbdgdad, great point.

    I spent the day working in our orchard. Come on, we have water out there, but I always carry additional water just for me.

    If you want to work outside you better take care of yourself. It is common sense whether you are picking fruit, mowing your lawn, playing tennis, etc. you have to listen to your body and care for it's needs. "

    Report Abuse

    wdbdgdad wrote on Jun 2, 2008 5:29 PM:

    " Why is it that there wasn't as much protest about, or sympathy for the women killed in her own driveway by the drunk ILLEGAL alien with 4 DUIs last month? "

    Report Abuse

    dogs4you wrote on Jun 2, 2008 2:39 PM:

    " It`s going to be close to 80 degrees or more today, will the marchers make it to their detination tonight? Why go through the pain of blisters and being totally unconfortable? On Thursday all will be forgotten, come on, get a grip and take the bus with A/C to Sacramento. It really doesn`t matter how you get there, nobody will be there to listen, you will how ever get allot of TV and Newspaper time, for the day. "

    Report Abuse

    midtowner wrote on Jun 2, 2008 1:32 PM:

    " T&C, I was waiting for you to blast LodiJoe.

    The fact is that the UFW exploits these poor people and pulls at their emotions in horrific situations such as these. This (march) is a typical liberal method of attempting to classify the "rich farmers" as ruthless people only concerned about profits. Here's another fact, if it weren't for the "rich farmers," there would be no fruit to pick!

    Maria Jiminez RIP "

    Report Abuse

    LodiJoe wrote on Jun 2, 2008 1:23 PM:

    " No more "anchor babies"... If at least one parents is not a citizen then the baby should not be a citizen either. There was talk about passing this some years back but I guess the politicians were afraid to alienate the Mexican voters....it just disappeared, never to be heard about since. "

    Report Abuse

    LodiJoe wrote on Jun 2, 2008 1:19 PM:

    " T&C, sorry, I misread your post... "

    Report Abuse

    T & C wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:42 PM:

    " LodiJoe??? You have me mistaken for some other post you read. I AM NOT FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION!Post what you "ASSUME was a pro-illegal immigrant statement I have made? Well! I'm still waiting? "

    Report Abuse

    T & C wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:36 PM:

    " Cheap Pay Slavery??? Hmmmm! I guess if the majority who cross the border feel that way...I am sure they know the way back home! No one is asking people to illegally come to America! They do it because they want to. They just don't want to do it legally! "

    Report Abuse

    dogs4you wrote on Jun 2, 2008 10:33 AM:

    " A person has to take responsibility for themselves. Better working conditions? Like what. 50% or more of the blame goes with the girl, 25% goes to that dump called Mexico, and another 15% with the farm labor contractor, and the other 10% to the UFW, who seem to show up just in time to carry on protests. Seems none of the marchers got the word, you walk with traffic not against it, according to the CHP. If the baby were to be born in the US, he/she would be a citizen while his mother and father could be deported, and without a doubt be borne at San Joaquin General Hospital at the expence of the taxpayers, and most likely become another one of Socities Children. After 5 months she would be unable to work, then what? More burdon on Health Services which is already over worked. "

    Report Abuse

    assimilate wrote on Jun 2, 2008 10:17 AM:

    " If she made it illegally from Mexico to the Central Valley, it seems she would have enough common sense to bring some water to the fields. As for the working conditions, are they any better in Mexico??? "

    Report Abuse

    LodiJoe wrote on Jun 2, 2008 9:59 AM:

    " T&C, what part of I-L-L-E-G-A-L do you not understand? I have absolutely NO problem with people immigrating to the United States. They need to do so legally. I do have a HUGE problem with illegal aliens that exploit "the system" for entitlements they don't deserve. Most don't pay income tax, social security, disability or unemployment but feel they are entitled just like LEGAL citizens. How many illegal born babies are you willing to pay for? "

    Report Abuse

    jess wrote on Jun 2, 2008 9:45 AM:

    " This young lady being an underaged, illegal explains everything. She was working in fear of being discovered and sent back. She would never talk about being thirsty or dizzy for fear of being deported.

    This is so tragic. I blame the labor contractor who hired her and her crew members for not coming to her aid sooner. It is so easy to become a "documented worker". This girl would be alive had she just filed the appropriate papers. "

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    Cogito wrote on Jun 2, 2008 9:23 AM:

    " Where are these people to protest when a drunk driving illegal kills an innocent person? "

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    T & C wrote on Jun 2, 2008 9:16 AM:

    " Please look at the total immigration picture not merely the loss of one illegal woman. http://immigrationcounters.com/ "

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    LodiJoe wrote on Jun 2, 2008 9:07 AM:

    " Here is another situation where people are looking to blame someone else for their plight. Come on, a 19 yr old pregnant woman working in the fields when it is hot? I am sure nobody was forcing her to be there, it was HER choice. If illegals are treated so bad in America, why don't they go back to Mexico? They don't want to become Americans, they want us to become Mexicans. Get Legal or Get out.... "

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    Mazie wrote on Jun 2, 2008 8:57 AM:

    " I was sorry to hear she died, but if she knew it was going to be so hot, why did she not take her own water? She must have known in advance that no one supplied water so she should have been prepared for that. Especially since she was pregnant. How many of the people walking to Sac are actually illegals? Someone should check their status, nice way to catch alot of them together. "

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    Verity wrote on Jun 2, 2008 8:33 AM:

    " That UFW sign the marchers are carrying kills me! Why is there a Mexican flag on the sign, but no flag of the United States? Sure shows where their sympathies lie... "

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    papercut wrote on Jun 2, 2008 8:23 AM:

    " Lodi is a sanctuary city, not just the eastside, if you haven't noticed lately. There are many illegals who have prominent and good paying jobs but I won't elaborate. They work at all the non-organized manufacturing businesses here in Lodi. Why do you think the wages at these places are $8 an hour and yet these same employers claim they can't find any dependable or decent help? The eastside is a Mexican cheap labor pool for the wealthy and their businesses here in Lodi. Go look at one of those tract home developments built by FCB and the only white man you'll see is the boss. It's called exploitation for pure greed and profit. Welcome to Lodi. "

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    Verity wrote on Jun 2, 2008 8:22 AM:

    " Luvlodi, you seem to have a lot of pent up anger here. You accuse people who disagree with you as being "haters" when it is your tirade that appears hateful and mean-spirited. "

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    Verity wrote on Jun 2, 2008 8:14 AM:

    " This article says "she also was an undocumented worker..."

    Let's be honest News Sentinel: she was an "illegal alien" from a foreign country who had no legal right to be here in the first place.

    Let's clean up the labor market, and bring everyone into the system legally so we can all be afforded the protections of the law.

    My condolences go out to the family of this girl. "

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    papercut wrote on Jun 2, 2008 8:08 AM:

    " luvlodi, I certainly don't have to worry about you taking my job, do I? It's undereducated legals and illegals that are the problem. Why do you think they work in the fields and for these local builders and developers building their little matchstick homes? Most for 5 or 6 dollars an hour after they pay their fee to the contractor? If this little girl had been legal it'd be a different story, but we won't go there with this avoidable tragedy. Most of those marching don't even have a job or that's where they'd be today, WORKING. I do respect your opinion, but not if it encourages any illegal immigration. "

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    T & C wrote on Jun 2, 2008 8:02 AM:

    " Hey LuvLodi! "You have your priorities way too backwards in this situation! Instead of ENCOURAGING and fighting for those illegal who come here and sometimes die, while sending Billions of dollars back to Mexico instead of being spent here, you take the stand of supporting or encouraging illegals to live in America! Where is your pride and citizenship, your volunteer spirit of helping those in need to fill out and process citizenship applications? Is it that you have turned a blind eye to illegal immigration? I just want an honest answer from you. "

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    T & C wrote on Jun 2, 2008 7:58 AM:

    " I have a reasonable question to ask? Why are there NEVER any articles in ANY newspaper, local or national where Hispanics who fought HARD and LONG to be American Citizens marching to ENCOURAGE 12 MILLION ILLEGALS to file for citizenship and earn the right to be in our country and pay taxes, and put into the "System" instead of taking what they can and then sending it back to Mexico? The answer is to be LEGAL and force growers to Obey the law for workers! Illegals are just as wrong as the growers or employers who hire them! "

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    midtowner wrote on Jun 2, 2008 7:05 AM:

    " luvlodi: my ancestors owned and picked fields in CA, so you have no right or knowledge for that matter to comment on my relatives! Secondly, your idiotic post shows how uneducated you are. I know history and it isn't what your liberal textbooks and teachers may have brainwashed you with. "

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    luvlodi wrote on Jun 2, 2008 6:55 AM:

    " lol@midtowner, just another person who is outraged by the unity these ppl have, dont be hater, the acncestors where all these farmworkers, you ignorant person, Who do you think harvested the 1st crop that your ancestors pigged out on? It was the black/hispanic ppl working like slaves. I would like to know how was it that that your ancestors came into this country? So dont come around here talking about your ancestors, YOU need to go back to school and get your history straight. What do you mean these ppl didnt know what they were marching for? Every single person did. That is why they travelled from miles away, I gues PPL like you cannot stand seeing all ppl coming together and making a difference. In closing to your comment about these ppl coming here ilegally, I hate to say this to you ignorant person, its not about legal status, its about the right that farmers aka fruit pickers have ,

    FRUIT PICKERS FEED AMERICA! THEY DESERVE RESPECT!!! "

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    midtowner wrote on Jun 2, 2008 5:35 AM:

    " This is the typical exploitation by the UFW due to a death. Most of the protesters had no idea why they were marching! If you want better working conditions, learn English and get a high school education/diploma. By the way, if they want to work in the USA, come here legally, like our ancestors! My sympathies to the family of the decedent. "

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    Comments on this story are now closed.

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