B
aflSim¡sO0&m2W
•
• «•>
;
• .X
T he P o r tlan d O bserver » D ecember 25, 1996
P age
Farmworkers picket NORPAC
(
,
'
I
'
)
Las Posadas
(The Inns)
,
•
Demanding the same rights and respect
that other workers enjoy, farmworkers and
their supporters gathered Tuesday, Decem-
her 10, in Salem to speak out against repres
sive labor practices by Willamette Valley
growers, picketing outside the NORPAC
annual meeting.
The demonstrators braved a cold, heavy
ram to call attention to NORPAC’s steadfast
relusal to negotiate wages and working con
ditions with their farm workers.
The protest was led by Pineros y
Campesinos Umdos del Noroeste (PCUN),
Oregon’s union of farmworkers.
NORPAC, a group of 250 growers who
own several canneries as well as an interna
tional marketing and distribution system, is
the largest food processing company west of
the Mississippi River.
Among the demonstrators were several
members of the Oregon Farm Worker Minis
try. Religious supporters have lately played a
key role in the Oregon farmworker struggle.
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO),
representing 2,(XX) churches and 17 denom
inations throughout Oregon, voted Novem
ber 13 to endorse PCUN’s national consumer
boycott ot NORPAC products sold under the
labels “Flav-R-Pac” (frozen fruits, vegeta
bles and juices) and "Santiam” (canned fruits
and vegetables).
Members of two Methodist congregations
assisted workers protesting low wages, lack
ol job security and retaliation lor engaging in
unionizing activities.
EMO has repeatedly called on NORPAC
to respect farmworkers’ right to vote on
whether they want union representation, a
right that workers have in NORPAC canner
ies. NORPAC has ignored these requests and
also refused to agree to a policy of non
retaliation against workers who openly orga
nize on their farms.
In the summer, many workers will begin
harvesting fields at 7 a.m„ work all day, take
a shower and work the swing shift at a
NORPAC cannery.
The NORPAC boycott has been in effect
since 1992 and has received the official en
dorsement of more than 50 local, regional
and national organizations, including the
United Farm Workers of America, the Port
land Observador, the National Synod of the
United Church of Christ, Oregon Public
Employees' Union and Council #75 of the
American Federation of State, County and
Municipal Employees. PCUN is also work
ing to get companies to respect the NORPAC
boycott Currently, Wholesome & Hearty
Foods, maker of “Gardenburger” and a com
pany that promotes itself as socially respon
sible, is being boycotted because of its distri
bution contract with NORPAC’s business
group.
An important concern for workers, along
with wage and hour issues, is pesticide expo
sure. "In the strawberries, there’s a white
powder that when we’re picking it gels in my
eyes and makes rashes on my hands", said
Hermilio Herrera. 32, of Molalla, one of the
workers at the protest. Strawberries are one
of the crops with the heaviest use of pesti
cides.
Between the boycott and field organizing
pressure, and the experience at Five
Oaks Farms, growers are now “thinking
the unthinkable." "It’s no longer a matter ol
'i f unionization will occur in Oregon agri
culture”, a prominent grower recently told
a religious delegation. "It’s a matter ol
‘when’.”
is a holiday that
commemorates Joseph
and Mary’s search for
lodging in Bethlehem. Las
Posadas are observed
from December 16 to
December 24.
The Last Angry Brown Hat
A Chicano Play by Alfredo Ramos will be
performed one time only, December 27,
1996 at 7:30 p.m. at Monroe High School
The reknowned and widely received
Chicano play "The Last Angry Brown Hat” is
being brought to Portland by the Oregon
Council for Hispanic Advancement (OCHA)
with assistance from U S. Bank, Ornelas
Enterprises, Portland public Schools and
Praegitzer Industries, Inc. for one show only!
The performance will be held on Friday,
December 27, at Monroe High School, 2508
NE Everett in Portland. The show begins at
7:30 pm. A discussion panel with the actors
will take place from 9:00-9:30 pm, followed
by coffee and dessert. Tickets are available at
Fred Meyer Fastixx outlets or at OCHA at
9 17 SW Oak, Suite 3 12, Portland. The actors
will also be leading a theater workshop for
Latino high school students, 10:00 am-12:30
pm. Preregistration is required. Call OCHS,
228-4131. The workshop is free.
The Last Angry Brown Hat features
Enrique Castillo, Danny de La Paz. Danny
Haro, and Del Zamora, all seasoned actors
who have starred in such films as Mi Familia,
American Me, Born in East L A anil Stand
and Deliver. The play is written by Alfredo
Ramos and traces the twenty-year friendship
ot four Chicanos who have come together
after the f uneral of a f riend.
Coming to terms with the past, present and
future, the personal and the political, the four
men courageously confront their demons in
an intimate, vulnerable, and profound way.
The play draws on the past experiences of
these men to open a window into the issues
faced by Latinos in America today. Ramos
frequently uses "Spanglish", allowing the
characters to choose the best words from
each language to present a mosaic of humor
and emotion.
Since 1983, OCHA has been committed to
providing leadership and support for educa
tional opportunity, economic development
and social justice for Hispanics in Oregon
and Southwest Washington.
Enrique Castillo (Willie)—Stars as Mon
tana in Taylor Hackford’s Blood in Blood
Out and Memo in Gregory Nava’s My Fam
"Juan's Hand", photo by Alex Vargas o f Hillsboro. Courtesy of Straight
Shooting Project, Oregon Commission on Children and Families.
“A Children’s Posada”
raises $5,000
ily. Castillo starred as Henry Reyna in Luis
Mice and Men. Paddy Chayefsky's Middle
Valdez Zoot Suit and is a founding member
of the Night and the Drama-Logue Award
of the Latino Theatre Company (LTC). Other
winning Cuba and His Teddy Bear. Films
feature film credits include Oliver Stone's
include. Talent for the Game, Angel Town.
Nixon. Borderline with Charles Bronson,
American Me and ..and the earth did not
Gregory Nava's El Norte and La Carpa di
swallow him.
rected by Carlos Avila lor PBS American
Del ZamorafRude Boy)—Del has appeared
Playhouse. LTC productions include August
in fifty plays, forty-six films, and thirty-five
29, La Victima, Stone Wedding and Roost
tv shows. His theatre credits include Romeo
ers.
and Juliet at CBS Studio Center. Culture
Danny de la Paz (Louie)—Since has signa
Clash at the Los Angeles Theatre Center and
ture performance as Chuco, in the Warner
El Luchador Chicano He was recently seen
Bros, feature Boulevard Nights, Danny has
on Television in My So Called Life and on
gone on to co-star with Sean Connery in
Culture Clash. Among his film appearances
Cuba. Gary Busey and Gilbert Roland in
are Robocop, Born In East LA., Repo Man
Barbarosaand with Robert Beltran in Gaby.
and...and the earth did not swallow him,
Other film credits include Seguin, Miracle
written and directed by Severo Perez. Del is
Mile and La Carpa. Recently he co-starred as
the original Rude Boy
Puppet in American Me. directed by Edward
Alfredo Ram os-a gifted young Chicano
James Olmos. Danny is a veteran of numer
writer born and raised in East L. A., The Last
ous stage productions, most recently La
Angry Brown Hat introduced Alfredo to the
Victima produced by the Latino Theatre
artistic community. Chosen as the winner ol
Company at Plaza de la Raza.
Plaza de la Raza's 1993 Nuevo L A. Chicano
Danny Haro (Jojo)-Danny is virtually “a
Playwrights Competition, LABH marks Mr
man for all seasons", having been a college
Ramos' first professionally produced play
athlete, fire department paramedic. Wash
The phenomenal success of the original pro
ington lobbyist, public defender practicing
duction prompted in northern California at
Civil Rights and Criminal Law and currently,
the San Jose Stage Company and again in Los
“thespian". He made his theatrical debut with
Angeles as the premiere production of the
El Tcatro Campesino in Rose of the Rancho.
Aztlan Playwrights Collective of Actors Al
Other plays include Steinbeck's classic of
ley in North Hollywood.
Members of the Portland-Guadalajara
Sister City Association one again decorat
ed a Christmas Tree for the Providence
Medical Foundation's annual "Festival of
the Trees”.
Over the years, through grants by the
Chiles Foundation, members of the associ
ation have produced a tree to be auctioned
off at the annual fundraising event.
this year, under the direction of chair
person Carole McDonald, a tree with the
theme “A Children's Posada" fetched
$5,000.
This was the eighth year of the associa
tion's involvement. generating proceeds of
approximately $34,500 over this period of
time.
The 1996 tree was donated to the Univer
sity of Portland and displayed in the office
of the President, Reverend David T. Tyson.
Gifts are placed under the tree to be distrib
uted to Catholic Parishes with a high per
centage of Hispanic members.
The association is grateful to the Provi
dence Medical Foundation, Chiles Founda
tion, Chairperson Carole McDonald. Dor
othy Piacentini and Gabby Berry for their
participation.
This year's proceeds from the auction go
towards the gerontology clinic whose
goal is to keep elderly patients at home
longer.
Club Hispano plays
Santa Claus for kids
Some Northeast Portland youngsters had
an early visit from Santa this year, thanks
to efforts of Jefferson High School's Club
Hispano.
The chib’s third-annual Christmas toy
drive culminated in a Fiesta Navulena Tues
day (December 10) at Ockley Green Mid
dle School.
The club's 25 Hispanic student mem-
bers-includingSantaCalejandro Vidalcs-
-raised money for the toy drive in a fund
raiser this fall and by soliciting donations
from area businesses.
Needy children age 10 and younger
from the Jefferson/Ockley Green neigh
borhood received wrapped toys at the fies
ta.
Donations to Club Hispano from, Polio
Rey Restaurant, Ornelas Enterprises, Inc..
Dr E M de Castro, Enrique C arlos
Martinez and the law offices of Linda
Friedman Ramirez enabled students to
purchase extra toys this year, according to
club advisor Sylvia Barajas-Everson.
B 5