Activist holds march for Greenfield farmworkers amid controversy

GREENFIELD, Calif. (KION) Bold letters were painted on signs this Labor Day. The message took a stand for farmworkers, like Greenfield residents Euologio Donado and his wife.

"In addition to the difficult time that we live in, the work in the field is hard. The temperatures have been very high," said Donado.

Donado joined nearly a dozen, Monday, to advocate for higher pay and better conditions in the field. Donado said the pandemic, poor air quality from wildfires and record heat have made work challenging. "We have to continue fighting. Together, we are strong. Alone, we are worth nothing," said Donado.

The group marched proudly through Greenfield streets.

The march was put on by immigrant rights advocate, Flor Martinez. "We're here to remind them that they are appreciated," said Martinez.

Martinez's efforts have gained recent attention online. She said she set out to help two Salinas students that went viral after they were photographed connecting to WiFi for school outside a Taco Bell.

A GoFundMe for the students' family raised over $146,000, but the community raised questions about where all the money was going. Last week, Salinas Police said they were investigating the funds.

"We stepped back for our own good. We had a lot of attack on us from people in power. People abused their political stance. They were trying to make us out to be these people that we weren't," said Martinez.

Martinez said she is now focusing on the fight for farmworkers. She said she has already raised around $500,000 to help families in the Salinas Valley.

"Our intentions are pure. That didn't get me to back down. We are here. We are here now," said Martinez.