Ayudando Latinos a Soñar and the National Farm Worker Ministry Host Two-Year Remembrance Honoring Seven Farmworkers Lost in Half Moon Bay Mass Shooting
Press Conference and Community Vigil to Address Housing, Immigration, and Inequities While Honoring the Victims and Families
On January 24, 2025, Ayudando Latinos a Soñar (ALAS) and the National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM) will host a Two-Year Remembrance Ceremony to honor the victims and survivors of the tragic Half Moon Bay shooting on January 23, 2023.This heartfelt event will serve as a moment of reflection, unity, and healing, while addressing the ongoing challenges farmworker communities face. Farmworkers are the backbone of Half Moon Bay’s economy and food supply, contributing billions of dollars to the U.S. agricultural economy.
A press conference will take place from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the ALAS Sueño Center (604 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA). Speakers will highlight solidarity on critical issues, including housing, immigration rights, and the importance of remembering and advocating for systemic change in the wake of the tragedy. Esteemed speakers include Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga, Founder and Executive Director of ALAS, Rev. Dr. Nathan Hosler, Board President of NFWM, San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller, local farmworkers sharing their experiences, and other community leaders.
The day will conclude with a community vigil from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the ALAS Yellow House (636 Purissima Street, Half Moon Bay, CA). The vigil will honor the memory of the seven farmworkers lost in the shooting, featuring heartfelt speeches by elected officials, Chinese and Latino community leaders, a farmworker musical accordion performance, and a gathering of community members with shared snacks and refreshments.
Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga, Founder and Executive Director of ALAS, stated:
“This tragedy shook the soul of our community and exposed the struggles that farmworkers endure every day. Today, we honor the lives lost and call on everyone to stand with us in advocating for fair treatment, better living conditions, and dignity for the people who feed us. Their lives, their sacrifices, and their voices must never be forgotten.”
Rev. Dr. Nathan Hosler, board president of the National Farm Worker Ministry, stated:
“The tragedy at Half Moon Bay was absolutely devastating, and it is our moral obligation to honor the workers and families impacted by improving farm worker conditions. In this country, much of the housing for farm workers is abhorrent, and no one should be living in such substandard environments. We fully support the holistic approach of ALAS, which has been pivotal in uplifting and working to improve conditions for farm workers who are the backbone of our communities.”
Immediate Action by ALAS: After the tragic mass shooting on January 23, 2023, ALAS took immediate action by working directly with displaced survivors and families to meet their essential needs, including providing food, housing, and mental health counseling. Additionally, ALAS extended its support to the entire community by offering free counseling services to anyone in Half Moon Bay, recognizing the importance of addressing the broader impact of the traumatic event on individuals beyond the directly affected families.
About Ayudando Latinos a Soñar (ALAS)
ALAS is a nonprofit, 501c3, organization based in Half Moon Bay, California, that offers free programs in cultural arts, mental health, education, basic needs and social justice for Latino families, essential workers, and farmworkers of the Coastside. The vision of the organization was born from the desire to help children and their families feel proud of their identity and culture and amplify their voices. For more information, please visit: www.alasdreams.com.
About the National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM)
For over 50 years, the National Farm Worker Ministry, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been dedicated to educating, equipping, and mobilizing people of faith and conscience. Their work supports farmworker-led efforts to improve living and working conditions across the United States. Learn more at nfwm.org.
###
