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Camarillo leaders call response after reported hate incident targeting Mexican farmworkers
Summary
Council member Martinez Bravo described a reported apparent hate crime against Mexican farmworkers in local fields, thanked law enforcement and community partners, and said the city will support victims with nonprofit partners.
During council reports on March 26, Council member Martinez Bravo described a recent apparent hate incident affecting farmworkers in Camarillo and announced local support efforts.
Martinez Bravo said she learned of the incident from a Ventura County Star article and called the episode “disturbing and hateful.” She thanked Camarillo Police Chief Tennyson and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office for an immediate response and for working with the farmworker victims. She also thanked Joshua Furt (regional director, Anti-Defamation League) for denouncing the act, and Ventura County District Attorney Eric Nazarenko for involvement in follow-up coordination.
Martinez Bravo said the incident not only caused terror and emotional distress among targeted workers but also had the potential to harm public health and the agricultural industry, because it affected produce and farm operations. She said with more than 42,000 farmworkers in Ventura County, the agricultural sector is vital to a roughly $2 billion county industry.
She said the city has been in touch with the affected farm and, in partnership with the nonprofit Friends of Field Workers, city staff and volunteers will offer on-site support and delivery of meals and goods for impacted workers. Martinez Bravo identified herself as the daughter of a farmworker and said the city would stand with those targeted.
No formal council action was taken at the meeting on this item; the remarks were part of council member reports and community outreach commitments.
