SALINAS >> The Monterey County Board of Supervisors will mark the 50th anniversary next week of the ban on “El Cortito,” the short-handled hoe that symbolized decades of harsh field labor. As part of the June 10 ceremony, the musical group Los Tigres del Norte will receive a lifetime achievement award for their advocacy for immigrants and social justice through music.

The ceremony will celebrate the legal case that arose out of the Salinas Valley and changed how agricultural fieldwork was done throughout California. The short-handled hoe (El Cortito) caused severe back pain and damage amongst farmworkers who spent hours hunched over using the tool. It took six years for the California Supreme Court to hear the case and rule in favor of farmworkers — the California Industrial Safety Board ultimately outlawed the tool on April 7, 1975.

Supervisor Luis Alejo recently penned an Op-Ed in The Herald alongside historian Ignacio Ornelas detailing the history and impact of this legal victory on farmworkers’ conditions.

The ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors Chamber, 168 West Alisal St., Salinas. Seating is limited and will be available once doors open at 10:30 a.m.

Supervisors will also recognize Los Tigres del Norte, a popular Mexican Norteño band, for their advocacy for immigrant communities. The band will receive a Lifetime Recognition and the board will declare every June 10 as “Los Tigres Del Norte Day” in Monterey County.

“Los Tigres del Norte have inspired millions around the world for over five decades. Through their music, they tell the story of Latinos, especially Mexican immigrants, who face racism, discrimination and exploitation in the United States,” said Ornelas in a news release. “Their lyrics reflect defiance, resistance and a deep commitment to exposing injustice, giving voice to communities that have long been marginalized.”

The band is originally from Sinaloa, Mexico but got their start in the United States after playing a concert at Soledad Prison in 1968. The group has gone on to win seven Grammy Awards and 12 Latin Grammy Awards. The group has various songs and documentaries advocating for immigrants and marginalized communities, often highlighting the struggles of undocumented workers and challenging anti-immigrant sentiment.

“We are excited to have Los Tigres Del Norte return to the Salinas Valley to be honored for using their musical corridos, fame and popularity to tell the stories about the hard work, struggles and sacrifices of our immigrant communities,” said Alejo in the news release. “This is a coming home to where they started at a young age in the United States, and now, they are music giants throughout the world. We couldn’t be prouder to declare a day in their honor in our county.

“We also want to recognize the local courageous leaders who legally challenged the use of the highly debilitating hand tool, El Cortito, that caused so much damage to the backs of countless farmworkers,” said Alejo. “We hope this will inspire future generations to also stand up for what’s right and make lasting social change in their communities.”