March 15 – March 20
With a Lobby Day in the NYS Capitol on March 17
RMM’s Alternative Spring Break is an experiential program offering an in-depth look at the many facets of farmworker life. Participants learn about the agribusiness system and the labor protections from which farmworkers are excluded.
During the week, students had the opportunity to travel throughout the western part of New York State as part of a program that incorporates experiential education through immersion and political action with New York’s rural communities.
Participants met farmworkers and advocates, and engaged in creative political action to advocate for equal rights for farmworkers. Through active involvement, they considered underlying questions of political and economic power, while learning about New York State’s legislative process and the power of students standing together in action with farmworkers and their allies.
We had a powerful and successful Day of Advocacy in Albany on March 17, with nine college students — our largest group to date — and members of our youth leadership groups traveling from across New York State to learn about lobbying and the legislative process.
Much gratitude to Maria Christina Martinez, who now wraps up her tenure as our Legislative Advocacy Consultant and returns to serving on the Board of RMM. Maria Christina organized our day for maximum impact and learning. We were also joined by Milan Bhatt, who officially begins as a consultant on April 1, serving as RMM’s Senior Political Advisor.