By Alfredo Camacho for South Kern Sol
BAKERSFIELD – The Central Valley became ground zero in the struggle for immigrant rights last week, when a coalition of women activists gathered outside of Congressman and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy’s office in downtown Bakersfield to take part in a demonstration and act of civil disobedience to demand an end to deportations, and congressional action on federal immigration reform.
“We came here because McCarthy is an influential man in Washington who can put immigration reform to a vote,” said Estela Garcia, a demonstrator at the event. “We’re here to make our voices heard and to make sure McCarthy knows that families are being torn apart.”
The demonstration, which took place on Wednesday, November 6, included a march, songs, and testimonials by those affected by the deportations. Some demonstrators also staged a sit-in inside McCarthy’s office.
McCarthy has been singled out as a key player in efforts to pass a federal immigration reform bill because of his status as House Majority Whip, and because he represents a congressional district in the Central Valley with a large population of Latinos yet has thus far refused to commit himself to the issue.
Read more at South Kern Sol
