(Posted September 7, 2004)

HUNTINGDON, PA. - The theatrical group Living Voices will act out the life of a Mexican-American migrant worker who helped change how American farmers use migrant labor in the production "La Causa," at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 15 in Neff Lecture Hall in the von Liebig Center for Science on the Juniata College campus.

The production is free and open to the public.

"La Causa" centers on the story of Marta Hernandez, the daughter of Mexican-American migrant workers, and her subsequent involvement in the Farm Workers Movement, led by labor activist Cesar Chavez.

The production follows Marta's life from her childhood, where she migrated throughout California and other western states. When Marta, her brother and her father are accidentally sprayed by a crop duster, her father becomes involved in the Farm Workers Movement.

The Farm Workers Movement, founded by Cesar Chavez in the 1960s, held a series of strikes and marches designed to get Mexican-American and Mexican migrant workers more rights and benefits from the agricultural growers who employed them as seasonal workers.

The production follows Marta's career as a reporter for the movement's newspaper, "El Malcriado" and her career as a labor organizer. The production also depicts Marta's trip to Philadelphia, where she helped organize boycotts against grocery stores selling non-union grapes.

The production uses several media, including film and dramatic acting and readings to present Marta's story.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.