The basement of Iowa City’s Weseley Center became a musical venue July 10th, as the group Postville Relief hosted a benefit concert for the workers and families affected by the raid of the Agriprocessor plant in Postville, Iowa, on May 12th.
Five musical acts provided live entertainment, and nine local businesses provided raffle prizes. New Pioneer Coop donated free refreshments for attendees. The event raised $785 with all proceeds going to El Centro Latinoamericano of Waterloo.
“They’re doing everything from organizing legal support and relocating families out of Postville to caring for children whose parents are no longer present,” event organizer Ryan Spurgetis said about El Centro’s role in the relief efforts.
In addition to the financial support provided from businesses and donations from attendees, there was a feeling of emotional solidarity with the workers among those in attendance. When asked why she came to the event, University of Iowa student Maggie Schmidt said, “I was following it in the newspapers and felt really helpless and powerless and mad, because this is my state and I expected more from my state. I am here because I wanted to show that there are people in Iowa who care; not only about how the workers were being treated, but how families were being treated.”
Organizer Joshua Mitchell explained that the Postville Relief group was formed specifically for this event, understanding that the best way of helping those affected was to provide financial support.
Donations to El Centro Latinoamericano can be sent to 500 E. 4th Street, Suite 321 in Waterloo.
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