On Thursday evening, November 17th at 7pm, the Green Mountain Global Forum presents the film screening of "Silenced Voices," which examines the untimely passing of Jose Obeth Santiz Cruz, a Vermont migrant worker, and the impacts of his death on his family and community in Mexico. A discussion will follow with members of the Vermont Migrant Farmworker Solidarity Project and with a migrant worker currently employed in Addison County.

In December of 2009, migrant farmworker Jose Obeth Santiz Cruz was killed in an accident while working on a Vermont farm. A delegation from the Vermont Migrant Farmworker Solidarity Project returned his remains to his home and family in Mexico. During the trip they documented Cruz's family and community coming to terms with his death. They were also able to capture the personal migration stories of other farmworkers as well. The documentary, "Silenced Voices" which was directed by Gustavo Teran, Brendan O'Neill, and Sam Mayfield, draws attention to the conditions and economic policies that force migrants from their homes and suggest a need for a new dialogue about the root causes of migration.

There are approximately 1200-1500 migrant workers that help sustain Vermont's struggling dairy farms. Living without documented status in one of the whitest and most rural states in the country, migrant dairy workers are subjected to aggressive racial profiling practices that convert workers into virtual prisoners on the farm. Due to this isolation and marginalization workers struggle to access essential community resources, and some experience human and workers' rights abuses. The Vermont Migrant Farmworker Solidarity Project organizes with migrant farm workers and engages Vermonters to build more socially and economically just farming communities and food systems.

Green Mountain Global Forum is co-sponsoring this event with the Vermont Migrant Farmworker Solidarity Project.  This is a free event and open to the public. 

View poster.

 

Venue: The Big Picture, 7 p.m. start. This is a free event and open to the public.

The Green Mountain Global Forum promotes greater awareness and understanding of global issues by bringing knowledgeable and thought provoking speakers to the Mad River Valley; thereby, encouraging community connections and involvement while inspiring change and action. GMGF strives to reach a broad audience by ensuring that events are free of charge through our fundraising efforts, and welcome the support and participation of the community. While visiting our website, learn more about who we are and how you can support us, as well as information on past and future events! For more information call 496-2111. You can also join our facebook page to get timely updates on our events.