Song in my head: One less bell to answer...one less egg to fry.........Burt Bacharach

Via Majikthise..

No Work No School So Sales and No Buying Day, May 1 LINK

Who toils long hours in the fields during harvest time?
Who is not protected at work by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration?
Who is exposed to agricultural pesticides in their workplace every day?
Who lives in close proximity to agricultural fields where exposure to pesticide spray drift is common to the elderly and children?
Who sprays our agricultural crops often with no personal protection devices?
Who mixes up the pesiticides and has to read directions for the safe handling of these chemicals that are printed in English?
Who is too intimidated to report pesticide exposures and occupational hazards for fear of loss of work and income?
What population has a low socio-economic status which makes them vulnerable to negative health effects from pesticides?
Who has limited access to health care once they are exposed?

I have a degree in Environmental Health and Safety and live in a rural area where migrant workers are what keeps the apple and pear orchards viable. I also worked in an orchard as an administrative assistant and verified a bunch of migrant workers immigrant status so I do have some educational and practical knowledge in this area. The migrant workers are the hardest working people I have ever known. They put to shame their less motivated American workers. They do back breaking work day after day after day. At the end of a 8- 12 hour day the migrant workers come home to living quarters, often provided by the farmers, usually for free or a minimal amount. These cabins are sub-standard, over crowded, and close to pesticide coated crops and tainted soil. They are often paid piecework, or by the bin, which means they have to work quickly consistently to make some decent money. Despite all the hardships they are some of the most happy, family orientated people I know. I, personally, love being exposed to their culture of great food, music and dedication to family.

Slavery was abolished a long time ago, yet this is a similar exploitation. I plan on marching, in a white shirt, with the Latinos tomorrow, and pay respect to all the other immigrants that contributed to America's economy and social structure.

Oregon
Portland
Location: South Park Blocks at PSU (SW Park and SW Mill)
Time: Prelude to start at 10am, Rally at 11 am..March to follow at Noon!

For more information http://www.jwjpdx.org
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/04/338191.shtml

There is a call for an immigrant general strike--hopefully there will be large crowds in Portland, Salem, and everywhere! PLDN: Jail Support number for May Day 503-234-4518.

Salem
Location: Oregon State Capitol (900 Court St NE, Salem).
Time: 1:00 PM
English flyer / Volante en espanol

XicanoPwr, found at My Left Wing, advocates for our support:

Please consider this if you are still undecided, if you hate...ignorance...prejudice...bigotry...racism - then I ask you to join us.

If you hate...oppression...shackles...chains...exploitation - then I ask you to join us.

If you hate...lynching...burning crosses - then I ask you to join us.

And if you hate...injustice...inequality...segregation...isolationism - then please join us on May 1, 2006!

The choice is YOURS on May 1- NOT go to work! NOT buy a thing! and NOT go to school!