On October 1, several elected officials appeared at the Radisson Hotel in Fresno to support over 200 Gerawan farmworkers in their fight for justice against the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB). Gerawan Farm Workers are outraged by the fact that the ALRB refuses to count their votes from the decertification election last November.

Among those elected officials in attendance were Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno), Assemblywoman Shannon Grove, (R-Bakersfield), and Fresno City Council Members Clint Olivier and Steve Brandau. These elected officials pledged their support to farmworkers.

Councilmember Clint Oliver fired up the workers and directly addressed Governor Jerry Brown, saying (in Spanish),

“I am looking for someone in the state of California who will use their ears. There is nobody in California who will listen and help the workers and families who need something. Governor, you may be old but I believe your ears still function. You need to listen to the people’s voices and help because we will work and fight until the issue is settled in the entire state of California!” Oliver led the crowd in an empassioned chant, with workers yelling, ‘Cuenta nuestras votos!’ (‘Count our votes!’)”

Assemblywoman Grove added, “You are the revolution. You are the new voice of human rights coming from the state of California and [your votes should be counted, so I challenge each of you to stay involved!’

Finally, Assemblyman Patterson offered some memorable words of encouragement, saying:

“The idea that you are not smart enough, not capable enough to decide what’s best for you in a free, fair, and open election is an absolute abomination of what it means to be in this place we call California, and you are the example of what it means to be free people in a free society.”