Vigil held following 2nd anniversary of Half Moon Bay mass shooting
HALF MOON BAY, Calif. - The City of Half Moon Bay came together for a second night on Friday to remember seven farmworkers who were shot and killed by a coworker two years ago. The vigil was organized by immigrant and farmworker advocacy group ALAS.
"Our actual farmworker team was on site at one of the farms just an hour before the tragedy, and we were just in disbelief, distraught," said Sandra Cencion, ALAS' Farmworker program director.
"This tragedy shook the soul of our community and exposed the struggles that farmworkers endure every day…We honor the lives lost and call on everyone to stand with us in advocating for fair treatment, better living conditions, and dignity for the people who feed us. Their lives, their sacrifices, and their voices must never be forgotten," said Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga, founder and executive director of ALAS.
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In the wake of the tragedy, photos surfaced of a farm, which placed a spotlight on the deplorable living conditions faced by many farmworkers in the city.
"I think our local elected leaders have definitely stepped up," said Cencion. "We’ve been working very closely with the County, with the City, just to really hold tight all the families that were affected as a result of this tragedy."
Since the tragedy, ALAS says farmworkers have been offered better access to affordable housing, and a new housing development is in the works, with units reserved for the victims' families.
Organizers point to the reforms that have taken place — as some good that has taken place in the wake of this tragedy.