The UFW in Bakersfield is reporting that at least 15 women and some media members were locked inside Congressman McCarthy's office by local police and no food, water or medicine for some of the women who are diabetic can be delivered inside.
By H. Nelson Goodson
November 7, 2013
Bakersfield, CA - On late Wednesday, the United Farm Workers Union (UFW) reported that 15 women who entered into U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy's office in Bakersfield to demand that he allow a vote on an immigration reform bill were locked in the his office. The women and some media members who are covering the indoor rally and sit-in protest have been locked in the office by police with the approval of McCarthy's staff. McCarthy is the majority leader of the GOP members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Police will not allow the women access to water, food and medicine while locked in the office. Some volunteers have attempted to deliver food, water and medicine for three women inside who are diabetics, but police have refuse to allow them to get the items.
The UFW reported, "Rather than meet with his constituents, Rep. McCarthy's staff called the Bakersfield police to lock in more than a dozen of the activists and several members of the press inside McCarthy's office. Police turned away volunteers bringing food and critical medicine to advocates, three of whom are diabetic."
Bakersfield police haven't released a statement concerning their refusal to allow the women to get water or food. Other people attending the rally have staged a vigil outside McCarthy's office.
Congressman McCarthy hasn't released a statement explaining why food and water is being kept from those women waiting to meet with him.
The waiting is expected to last through the night, according to the UFW.
Related article: Women In Bakersfield Initiate National Action To Push For U.S. House Vote On Immigration Reform http://alturl.com/ggbhk
