Honoring and Celebrating the Lives of NC Farmworkers

This Saturday, we will remember farmworkers who have died while working in NC the past few years. Workers and advocates are urged to join us to celebrate the Day of the Dead, at Centro restaurant in Raleigh on Saturday, November 2 at 11:00 am as we gather around a traditional Day of the Dead altar to honor those who have died or become fatally ill on the job.

The Day of the Dead is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated throughout Latin America to honor and celebrate loved ones who have passed on.  This holiday is particularly celebrated in Mexico on the first two days of November. However many countries and cultures recognize similar holidays on these same days-All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day.  Traditions associated with the Day of the Dead include creating an altar and decorating it with flowers, sugar skulls, pictures, gifts, personal possessions of the deceased, as well as favorite foods and drinks of the deceased.

 

This year the Farmworker Advocacy Network celebrates the lives of 3 individuals, farmworkers from Mexico and Guatemala, who have died while working or who have died from the harsh conditions of their work environment. The lives and work of these three men represent the thousands of men, women, and children workers who are exposed daily to the austere living and working conditions, including inadequate housing and exposure to toxic pesticides. Because the labor laws in our country are dangerously antiquated, workers are not adequately protected; therefore their lives are at risk each and every time they step into the fields or into the processing plant.

We ask that you take a few moments today, and join us tomorrow at Centro, to honor and celebrate the lives of North Carolina farmworkers.

RSVP to the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) event on Saturday: https://www.facebook.com/events/654136584617468/ and spread the word!

ALVARO

On Nov. 12, 2012, a 41-year-old migrant farmworker named Alvaro Tomas died after being struck by a truck while harvesting sweet potatoes in Ayden, NC. On the day of the accident, 132 migrant farmworkers were harvesting sweet potatoes in a 30-acre field. The farmworkers were divided into six groups, with one truck per group, and were harvesting sweet potatoes on both sides of the truck. Two workers were in front of each truck setting the pace of the work. Alvaro was one of the farmworkers harvesting sweet potatoes alongside the truck. When his group’s truck was full, the driver backed out of the field so that he would not drive over unharvested sweet potatoes. It is not clear if the driver honked the horn, or verbally told the workers he was going to back up. However, two workers were still behind the truck harvesting when he did. Alvaro Tomas was struck by the truck and died as a result of his injuries. He was from Guatemala but living in a labor camp in Snow Hill at the time of his death. It is believed his brother was working with him when this accident happened. No charges were expected to be filed. We ask that you please take a moment on this Dia de los Muertos to honor Alvaro's life.

ANDRES

 Andres Sandoval from Durango, Mexico, died in March 2013 at 43 years old, single and leaving behind one child and his parents that they lived with. Four years ago while working in crops near Benson, North Carolina, he asked for a doctor’s appointment because he felt like “there was a ball in his stomach” and it bothered him to sleep on that side. After being seen at a rural clinic, he was referred to the hospital and was soon diagnosed with Leukemia. The doctor said clearly that he could live for many years if he followed all of the instructions.

Andres came to the United States year after year for nine years. He was a pesticide applicator in the fields. He believed that his illness was due to his prolonged contact with pesticides. At the end of the agricultural season in 2012 during one of his exams, news for Andres from the doctor was not good; the cancer had changed and they had to make more frequent appointments and changes to his medicines. But his visa was about to expire and he had to return to Mexico. The doctor expressed concern about Andres’ trip and tried to get him to stay with a humanitarian visa, even working on this effort after Andres had left the U.S.. Sadly, Andres died in Mexico after weeks of suffering.

The health outreach team that coordinated care for Andres, at North Carolina Farmworkers Project, say, “He left us with a legacy – his perseverance, his courage, and above all, his great love for agriculture!!! May he rest in peace, our friend Andres!!!”

MANUEL

Manuel Hernandez Florencia was a 45- year old migrant farmworker from Comonfort, Guanajuato, Mexico.  In a tragic accident, Manuel passed away on August 19th, 2013 when he was struck by a car while trying to cross a very dark stretch of highway in Franklin, NC.  He had been living in the United States and working in agriculture for approximately 16 years.  During his time in the United States Manuel worked harvesting a variety of crops including oranges, strawberries, blueberries, tobacco and tomatoes.  He had arrived in Franklin, NC two weeks prior to the accident with a migrant crew to pick tomatoes.  Manuel was living with four other men in an old hotel room, none of whom were related nor knew each other very well.  The hotel was located on a very busy stretch of Highway 441 South which runs between Atlanta, GA and Western North Carolina.  Manuel passed away while trying to walk to the closest store that evening.  He is survived by a son in Florida, a sister in Georgia, and a wife in Comonfort.  Two weeks after his death, Manuel was returned to his family in Comonfort, Guanajuato where he was given a proper burial. We ask that you please take a moment on this Día de los Muertos to honor Manuel’s life.