In recognition of International Workers’ Day, immigrants’ rights organizations will participate in the immigrants’ rights march in Apopka today, Monday, May 1, from 2 to 6 p.m. beginning at Kit Land Nelson Park, 10 S. Forest Ave.
The Farmworker Association of Florida organized the march.
“Farmworkers, students, families, day laborers, business-owners and others hard-working contributing Floridians will rise up in resistance to demonstrate the power, resilience and strength of immigrant communities in Florida and the country,” the press release states.
More than 40 cities throughout the nation, including those in Florida, are participating in this national day of action called “Rise Up!”
“Most of Florida’s agriculture industry and rural economy is sustained by the work and contributions of farmworkers and their families,” Tirso Moreno, general coordinator of the Farmworker Association of Florida, was quoted as saying in the Florida Immigrant Coalition press release. “On May Day we are sending a message loud and clear to all local elected leaders inviting them to value farmworker and immigrant communities.”
On Wednesday, April 26, the city Development Review Committee (DRC) reviewed a special events application Moreno submitted of the march.
Plans call for the group to hold a peaceful march from Kit Land Nelson Park to City Hall, then back to the park that is located along Park Avenue between First and Orange streets.
According to the application, more than 200 marchers carrying banners and signs are expected.
At the DRC meeting, Apopka Capt. Randy Fernandez said the group would need to adjust its march route so that marchers could traverse over U.S. Highway 441 (Main Street) at the pedestrian overpass adjacent to Forest Avenue.
An updated and extended version of this story will appear in the Friday, May 5, issue of The Apopka Chief.
