McFarland residents — many of whom work in the region's agricultural fields — "were not provided with a fair and transparent process in the vote for this detention center, and were shut out by those who are supposed to represent them," Pastor Trena Turner, executive director of Faith in the Valley, said in a statement. "We are hopeful that this temporary hold is a step towards progress, and that the resiliency of the community and legal partners will result in a permanent example of justice for the Central Valley, the state and the rest of the country."

Hundreds Take Part in 4th Annual Walk For Justice in Bakersfield
March 24, 2018
Hundreds of people around Kern County gathered in support of the fourth annual Walk For Justice.
Faith leaders and families came together in support of those who have lost family members during encounters with police, according to Faith in the Valley.
People walked in solidarity to locations where peoples’ lives were lost as a result of officer-involved shootings.
Leaders of the march called for more transparency from police and said they were in favor of more police body cameras and community-based training for officers.
Read more at BakersfieldNow.com.