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PRESS RELASE
Harvesting History
TOLEDO, Ohio – Lucas County Libraries is teaming up with a local labor union,
Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) to create a photographic history of the
union’s efforts in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States.
The library decided to team up with FLOC in order to bring awareness to its cause
and rich history of organized unity for civil rights.
The union was founded in 1967 in Toledo, by Baldemar Velasquez after being
inspired by Cesar Chavez and the Union of Farm Workers based in California.
FLOC has a history of field walk-outs and corporationboycotts to promote better-
working conditions and wages for field workers.
FLOC originally fought for civil and labor rights for tomato and cucumber picking
workers. Now, its focus has transitioned to tobacco field workers who deal with
crucial health hazards.
The exhibit is open to the public and will be held April 5 to May 5, at the Toledo
Lucas County Main Library, 325 Michigan Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604. An
opening reception will be held 6-8 p. m. April 5 with members from Toledo’s
FLOC.
Contact:Elvera Espinoza, event coordinator
(567) 225-7404
vera.noza@gmail.com
@FLOC_Toledo