Rally in Support of Farmworkers Drew Crowd to Wenatchee

A group of advocates for farm workers gathered at Memorial Park Saturday night where there speeches from coordinators and family members of workers who have died during the pandemic.

Coordinator, and candidate for the State House in the 13th District, Eduardo Castaneda Diaz says it's part of a series of events that will culminate on Saturday in Olympia.

"The goal for these rallies is to raise awareness to the exploitation of farm workers in our state. To bring awareness to the farm workers who are dying in Okanogan County and to advocate for stronger protections for all farm workers in our state."

Diaz estimated the crowd at around 200 people and hopes that state lawmakers in Olympia are hearing their message.

"Part of our demands are safer housing arrangements, a reduction in capacity for temporary housing units, an increase in personal protective equipment (PPE), increased COVID-19 testing with rapid results, and hazard pay for Washington's farm workers."

Diaz says he's the son of farmworkers from the Quincy area and worked in a variety of farm-related jobs growing up and while a student at WSU.

Saturday's rally was the seventh in a series that will end on August 22nd in Olympia.