Community Action to Support Ex-Bracero Workers
Aug. 19, 2005

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On Friday, August 19, more than 200 ex-bracero workers and their families came out in front of the Mexican consulate to demand payment of money owed to them by the Mexican government.

During World War II, the U.S and Mexican governments instituted the bracero program that brought in Mexican laborers for seasonal harvests from 1942 to 1964.

The braceros were cheated out of hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid labor. They are now organizing and struggling to get that money back from the Mexican government. The U.S. government has offered nothing.

Volunteers with the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition attended the demonstration, which was organized by the Bi-National Braceroproa Alliance and Latino Movement USA.

Juan Jose Gutierrez of Latino Movement USA chaired the rally, which included speakers from the Braceroproa Alliance and other organizations. Muna Coobtee gave a solidarity statement on behalf of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition.

The protest was part of an international day of action with simultaneous protests happening in San Diego, Calexico, San Bernardino, Fresno, San Jose, Sacramento, Seattle, Las Vegas, Tucson, Phoenix and many, many cities in Mexico. Protestors also demanded the immediate release of the "Bracero 10"—ten ex-braceros and a leader of the Braceroproa Alliance—who were brutally beaten and jailed in Mexico after occupying Mexican government offices and demanding just compensation.

A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Statement Supporting Ex-Bracero Workers

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