Conservative talk show host Sean Hannity came to the Valley to spot-light the ongoing drought and the growing economic fallout.
Thousands turned out to show their support.
Hannity said, “All their asking for is a little bit of water so that they can help feed the rest of the country.”
The area was once a thriving agricultural hub, feeding people across the county but drought and water regulations have turned many fields into dustbowls.
Hannity said, “Some of the farmers that are getting water are paying 30 times what they used to pay to get it.”
The crisis has driven unemployment numbers to record highs and now too many farmers and members of the community are standing in lines for food to feed their families.
Former Fresno Mayor Alan Autry said, “Fifty percent unemployment in some of our towns out here and also the nation’s food supply has been put in jeopardy.”
Environmentalists have convinced a federal judge to turn off field water pumps to save the delta smelt but many people say sending the water to the ocean instead is a waste.
Farmer Jim Jasper said, “If we don’t get some common sense in the Endangered Species Act, I would say we’re going to be out of business very, very soon.”
The hope is to get to get Congress to listen and to act soon on a federal level to solve the Central Valley’s water crisis.
Hannity said, "I hope and pray maybe a little common sense will sneak into Congress for 5 min and we can certainly get water back into the region because we desperately need it."
This is Sean Hannity's first trip to the Valley to bring national attention to the water crisis and his producer tells CBS47 this will likely not be his last push before water starts flowing again.
