PRESS RELEASE from United Farm Workers
January 10, 2012

CONTACTS: Maria Machuca, UFW Communications Director

United Farm Workers offers early endorsement of President Obama with L.A. rally
Event kicks off series of union planned events across the country backing Obama's reelection

Thursday, Jan. 12, at 11 a.m.

LOS ANGELES, CA -  President Barack Obama's re-election campaign receives an early endorsement from the United Farm Workers of America, the nation's largest and oldest farm workers union, during an 11 a.m. rally on Thursday, Jan. 12, at the UFW's Los Angeles offices, 4545 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. in East L.A. The rally kicks off  a series of union-sponsored events and rallies throughout the nation supporting the President.

"We are proud to endorse President Obama in this historic year during which the UFW celebrates its 50th anniversary," said UFW President Arturo Rodriguez. "President Obama stands with farm workers and immigrants. His administration is fighting against mean-spirited partisan legislation and gratuitous attacks by Republican politicians against hard-working, tax-paying immigrants who are among the most vulnerable people in our society."

Under U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, the administration reversed former President George W. Bush's last-minute changes to the nation's agricultural guest worker program that would have reduced wages and protections for both foreign and domestic farm workers.

The Obama administration also moved promptly to block SB 1070, the Arizona's anti-immigrant law that discriminates against Latinos and encourages racial profiling, and the administration is challenging similar legislation in Alabama and Georgia. Just last week, President Obama announced changes to federal immigration rules that would let relatives of U.S. citizens remain with their families while they work to adjust their immigration status.

"The theme of the 2008 Obama campaign reflected Cesar Chavez's famous cry of 'Si Se Puede!'," Rodriguez said. "In 2012, we can proudly examine our progress and say, 'Yes we can' ensure that the rights, wages, benefits and living conditions of the women and men who put food on our tables are enhanced and not diminished.

"We have taken many important steps forward over the last four years. We need President Obama leading the nation for the next four."

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