Dolores Huerta is a living civil rights icon, through her work in the United Farmworkers movement and more recently through the Dolores Huerta Foundation, she has diligently fought for the rights of farm workers and continues to organize underserved Latinx communities in her fight for social justice. During the Q&A, audience members spoke of their grandparents marching alongside Huerta and Cesar Chavez and how that had influenced them today. Huerta reflected on the importance of the democratic process,“this is the only game in town.” Huerta spoke adamantly about how necessary it is for young people to stay involved and to vote, but also about how it’s through the democratic process that rights will be recognized. Boycotting, striking, all of that is simply part of a process to get written legislation that legally secures the rights of marginalized people. 

Huerta also spoke extensively about the state of current U.S politics and the need to check the power of large global corporations that seek to exploit and oppress workers. Through her stories Huerta conveyed to the audience the importance of solidarity in organizing— the issues farmworkers face in small rural communities in California are the same issues faced by farm workers all over the world. This is something that we have the power to change.

You know, to go out there and say, we can win through non-violence. We have an army right here, right here, sitting right here. An army of organizers, an army of volunteers to spread that message out there. The message of peace and justice and respect for each other.

— Dolores Huerta

Ruth Martinez, a retired nurse and UFW activist, spoke eloquently about her memories during that time, and the lessons she learned from Cesar Chavez. The audience could almost feel his presence in the room as Martinez spoke from the heart about her work during the Grape Strike of 1966. Martinez was a young woman when she started her work as an activist and going on to spend decades fighting for farmworker rights serving as a source of inspiration for students to continue the fight.

“I took care of a lot of the farmers' feet when they got blistered and everything, and all the people that passed out because of the heat or the, uh, struggle. And Cesar always said, if you struggle and you fight for what you want, no one can take anything away from you. And that's true. I learned that from a very young age. That as long as I worked and I struggled and tried, I would be able to do whatever I wanted to do. And, I wanted to help the farm workers.”

— Ruth Martinez

Roberto Bustos, a UFW march captain and activist, is a great storyteller. During the panel, Bustos shared the history between him and Cesar Chavez and how he came to be ‘El Capitan’ during the March to Sacramento. Within the first few minutes of the event, his whistle, hearty laugh, and strong voice displayed his character as “El Capitan.” More importantly, Bustos told stories to the audience of his long career and extensive experience in advocacy –a reminder that the 1966 Grape Strike trained and empowered a new generation of Latinx activists and community organizers.

When given the opportunity by Cesar Chavez, Bustos stepped up. He knew the journey would be hard, but he was determined to see it through. Bustos’ passion could be felt by every audience member. As he spoke fondly of Cesar Chavez, there is no doubt he was inspiring a new generation of labor activists.

“And we slept out there in the grass. And that's the way it was happening all through the march: 25 days, 400 miles to reach Sacramento. April 10th, 1966, we made it. They mentioned there were 77 of us. Yes, we started with 77 of us. 77 took the pledge. And I was one of them. And Cesar told me, “Roberto, I want you to be the captain. I want you to lead the March to Sacramento.” I said, “Oh, no, no, not me. No, no. Get somebody else. No, no. They,” I told 'em, “they won't listen to me.” Well, [said Cesar Chavez] “No, they, they will, they will. I’ve seen you working and they know you'll be a good one.” So he put me in charge.”

— ‘El Capitan’ Roberto Bustos

Yolanda Chacon-Serna, a labor organizer and healthcare advocate, led the audience into chant throughout the event—a powerful reminder that she had been raised in the movement. During her time on the panel, Chacon-Serna shared insights into her extensive experience as an activist and community organizer through her knowledge on unionizing, health administration, and voter registration. 

It became clear that Chacon-Serna had emerged as a leader, carrying on the legacy of the UFW. The rhythm with which she spoke was like a beating drum. How many feet had marched to her powerful words? It is with this power Chacon-Serna was able to mobilize and inspire the audience.

“It's a unity. That's what you call solidarity. Everybody pitching in, everybody doing their part. We each one, teach one, each one, reach one! Caesar said, “we don't need a perfect political system, we need perfect participation.” So… if somebody calls you, get involved, volunteer, do visibility, register people to vote. We are the ones who are important in making the decision about policies, by electing the right people. When we don't get involved, we're victims and victimized, but we don't agonize, we organize! Right?!” 

—Yolanda Chacon-Serna