This year the march route has changed, so please review new schedule and route details included below

Dear friends and supporters,

Once again we invite you to march with farmworker leaders in our continued struggle for justice and dignity in our food system.

Last summer, we marched on the first Sunday of August to honor the anniversary of the death of Honesto Silva Ibarra, a farmworker whose life was cut short by the exploitation he suffered at Sarbanand Farms. Our 2018 March for Dignity passed the Sumas Border Patrol Station, where we protested against the inhumane and unjust system of border militarization, detention, and deportation, and Sarbanand Farms, where we conducted a Peoples Tribunal demanding justice for their role in the death of a farmworker in Whatcom County. Here are photos from last year's march, taken by David Bacon.

We are proud to announce that Sarbanand Farms has since been banned from contracting H2A guestworkers by the US Department of Labor. What's more, on a state level, farmworker leaders from Community to Community Development and Familias Unidas por la Justicia successfully lobbied for the passage of SB 5438, legislation that will create oversight for the H2A program in Washington State and an advisory committee, where C2C and FUJ will both represent farmworkers. Alongside Raid Relief to Reunite Families, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, Latino Civic Alliance, and other immigrant rights organizations, we also successfully lobbied for the Keep Washington Working Act, SB 5497, which requires local law enforcement to strengthen protections for undocumented community members and limits local law enforcement's cooperation with ICE. This is all because you have stood with us. We could not have done it without your solidarity on the ground, literally marching and protesting with us. Join us again as we continue our tradition.

There will be a Dignity Dialogue the day before the march where we will discuss the new WA State legislation, Keep Washington Working, and what our local government is required to do to guarantee our community is safe. We welcome Eric Gonzalez from the ACLU. As one of the key people in the Legislature leading the advocacy strategy, he will lead us through the legal implications for Whatcom County and all cities.

WHEN: Saturday, August 3, 2019 from 1-3 pm.

WHERE: Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship (1207 Ellsworth St. Bellingham, WA 98225).