The Valley's water crisis was front and center Wednesday.
Elementary school Students, growers, and political leaders spoke up ahead
of a water rally in Sacramento expected to draw thousands.
The news
conference brought out the community of Five Points, a small farm town 25 miles
northeast of Coalinga.
Lemor Abrams was there live with more on their demands.
Hundreds of growers, and members of water advocacy groups
gathered with students at Westside Elementary School, the only elementary school
in Five Points...fighting for its survival.
Growers say it's not just crops they're losing but homes, jobs, schools.
Children held up signs reading "children grow where water flows" and "No
water no future."
The Latino Water Coalition held the news conference to call out to the
Governor to declare a drought emergency. They say that will get the federal
government to realize how important aid is right now to save these small farming
communities.
They're pleased the Governor visited the Valley this week, but are still
waiting for him to declare the region a disaster. And the hundreds who
gathered will join hundreds more in Sacramento Thursday.
Javier Guzman of
the Water For Land Committee says the water bond that goes before voters this
year will also help if passed, in the long term.
They need to get water pumping from the delta, but they also need immediate
help in the form of government assistance.
As for Thursday's rally,
caravans and buses are driving out bright and early, hoping to be on the steps
of the capitol by noon.