“Today’s three guilty verdicts of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd offer us hope that change is possible. While we breathe a collective sigh of relief, the solutions our communities need must be based in collective action and policy. Transformational solutions are rooted in true people power with the enactment of social, racial and economic justice policies. It will require civic engagement, advocacy and accountability of our public officials to end systemic racism. Millions across our country and around the world marched in protest to denounce Mr. Floyd’s murder. The marching and non-violent organizing must continue as we grieve the ongoing slayings of Black, and Brown people at the hands of the police. While we pause to honor the pain of George Floyd’s family today, our commitment to our Black, Ingenious People of Color communities is an explicit promise to work together to end injustice.” – Camila Chavez, DHF Executive Director & Dolores Huerta, Founder & President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation
The Dolores Huerta Foundation is very proud in supporting this end-of-life legislation [SB 380]. It is very important that we keep it in California. Please urge your lawmakers to pass end-of-life options by visiting http://compassionchoices.org
Vaccine distribution in California is ramping up and more folks are receiving their doses. While we are well on our way to #EndThePandemic, we must still keep our distance, wash our hands and wear a mask until health professionals tell us we’re in the clear! Flex your defense when it is your turn. #EndThePandemic #VaccinateCalifornia
Wearing a mask is vital for your community. Communities of color are being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Protect yourself and your loved ones.
Usar una mascarilla es vital para su comunidad. Las comunidades de color están siendo afectadas de manera desproporcionada por COVID-19. Protéjase y proteja a sus familias.
ARVIN’S VETERANS HALL WILL BE A COVID VACCINATION SITE. This is crucial as the surrounding communities often house essential agricultural workers.
Gavin Newsom reported via @cagovernor Instagram, “We’re taking steps to get #COVID19 vaccines to the hardest-hit communities. With a partnership with OptumServe & counties, we’re opening up to 11 vaccine sites, like here in Arvin. We are also increasing supply by 58% to the Central Valley & allocating 34k doses to farmworkers.”
We are excited to launch our first in a series of three Covid-19 Educational PSA’s targeting the Latino community. This video series is a part of a larger effort, in conjuction with the United Against Covid19 Coalition and with financial support from the Patel Foundation, to address the need for Latino families to stay informed about best practices to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
As you may know, the Latino community has been disproportionately ravaged by the pandemic. The vulnerability of Latino communities to COVID-19 can arise from many factors, including differential exposure, susceptibility, and access to health care. Many Latino people work in frontline jobs in grocery stores, waste management, cleaning and sanitation services, and food delivery, putting them at constant exposure to people or materials that may be infected with COVID-19.
The series of Educational Covid 19 videos in Spanish will be used to disseminate information about COVID-19 through social media and traditional media platforms.
We all have a part in helping to promote fair access to health. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we must work together to ensure that people have resources to maintain and manage their physical and mental health, including easy access to information, affordable testing, and medical and mental health care. We need programs and practices that fit the communities where racial and minority groups live, learn, work, play, and worship.
Please share this video message with your friends, family, and loved ones this holiday season.
Celebrate the holidays with the family you live with. Celebra las fiestas de Navidad con quien vives.
Coronavirus is impacting our communities. We can stop it. Help us get the word out that “We are safer at home.” La Coronavirus esta afectando la gente. Si, podemos pararla. Para que la gente saben que “En Casa Estamos Más Seguros.”
This video is a product of the United Against Covid Coalition, with support from the Ravi & Naina Patel Foundation. https://www.rnpfoundation.org Featuring the work of Daniel Gozalez, Printgonzalez and Dawn Valadez CB Smith-Dahl, TogetherPix
We wish you a very safe and joyful holiday season! We are forever grateful for you and your continued support.
We mourn the loss of Representative John Lewis as he was a pillar of the civil rights movement. “John Lewis led us on the path for racial justice and equality on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. His lifetime of undaunted courage inspires us to continue in his footsteps, on his path, until equality is achieved. He is resting now. We owe it to him to push forward.” – Dolores Huerta, President & Founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation. At 80 years of age, @repjohnlewis left an indelible impact on our country through his tireless efforts to improve our racial and political landscape. Rest in Power.
[BAKERSFIELD, CA] THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020- In celebration of the iconic American labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta’s 90th birthday, the Dolores Huerta Foundation is bringing celebrities, elected officials and activists together to raise money to relieve the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in regions where politically disempowered, low-income, immigrant, and farmworker groups are being disproportionately affected.
“In my 90 years, I have seen the progress in our country towards improvements for women, our LGBTQ+ community and people of color, but we know we have not yet achieved the equity we deserve. So as we go forward for the next century, we can learn from the lessons of the past to reimagine and shape the future for a world that is just and fair for all,” Huerta stated.
The digital event will be streamed on all of DHF’s major social platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter on Saturday, May 30 beginning at 5:00 pm PDT / 8:00 pm EDT and will be hosted by renowned comedian, actress, and writer Cristela Alonzo.
The digital event is structured as a late night show that will feature comedy, music and lively conversations about feminism, climate justice, coping with Covid-19 and more. Guests include Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinem, George Lopez, Eva Longoria, Martin Sheen, Alfre Woodard, Esai Morales, Mark Hamill, Benjamin Bratt, Zoe Saldana, Matt McGorry, Joe & Jill Biden, Bill & Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, John Leguizamo, Danny Glover, Gina Rodriguez, Kerry Kennedy, Patrisse Cullors, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Common, Aloe Blacc, Maya Jupiter, Edward James Olmos, Kate del Castillo, the cast of Penny Dreadful and more. Musical guests include Carlos Santana and his wife Cindy Blackman, Sheila E. and her father legendary Latin percussionist Pete Escovedo, Grammy award-winning musical groups Ozomatli, and the Grammy nominated all-female mariachi group Flor de Toloache.
For interviews with Dolores Huerta, please contact Damairis Lao at dlao@doloreshuerta.org.
Dolores Huerta and Leticia Perez encourage Kern County residents to get tested for Covid-19 to safely reopen society
MEDIA CONTACT: Damairis Lao | dlao@doloreshuerta.org
[BAKERSFIELD, CA] WEDNESDAY, MAY 13TH, 2020- The Dolores Huerta Foundation in collaboration with Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez have created videos in English and Spanish to promote the new Covid-19 testing sites in Bakersfield to share widely on social media. Press is asked to air the videos and publish Dolores’ statement to spread awareness to the local community.
According to the Kern County Public Health Services Department, Hispanic people make up over 65% of Covid-19 cases in Kern County, a higher rate than all other ethnic groups combined. Many are at a higher risk because they are essential workers on the front lines of the pandemic. Yet, there are more barriers for Hispanic communities to access important health information and resources, in part because of language barriers or fear over their undocumented status. In order to control this pandemic, it is critical that special efforts be made to reach out to this community. More information about the testing site location, operating hours, and appointment process is provided in the transcript below.
Transcription:
“Hi, this is Dolores Huerta, bringing you information about testing for the Covid-19 virus that is free and open to everyone regardless of symptoms. The entire test takes only 15 minutes and the test results can be mailed to you within 24 hours at your email address and people can get tested as many times as they want. But remember to get tested, you have to make an appointment ahead of time. You can register at ProjectBaseline.com.
The testing site for Covid-19 is at the Richard Prado Center, 2101 Ridge Road at Mt. Vernon. The site is open from Sunday through Friday from 8 am to 11 am and from noon 12 to 2 pm. It is closed on Saturdays. This special test site at the Richard Prado Center is for us, our communities of color and our low-income communities, so that we can have access to free, safe, reliable testing and also to get information so that we can open up our society in a responsible way to make sure everyone is safe.
But we need your help to encourage everyone to get tested so that we can limit the risk of exposure. It is important to get tested whether you have symptoms or not to protect yourself, your family, and our communities. We can do this. ¡SI SE PUEDE!”
We are excited to announce the launch of our capital campaign to build the Dolores Huerta Peace & Justice Cultural Center, a multicultural community center complex in downtown Bakersfield, California. DHF will construct a state-of-the-art campus and headquarters that will include a comprehensive child development facility, art gallery, outdoor amphitheater and a community organizing training academy.The campus will provide a permanent location in Kern County to honor the historic civil rights legacy of local leaders, the contributions of the many immigrants who worked the land and enriched the culture and built California’s agricultural economy.
Please consider donating to make Dolores Huerta’s vision a reality!
MEDIA CONTACT: Damairis Lao | dlao@doloreshuerta.org
[BAKERSFIELD, CA] APRIL 16, 2020 – Dolores Huerta, Founder and President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, issued the following statement today following Gov. Newsom’s announcement of $125 million in financial assistance for undocumented Californians:
“I want to thank the Governor and the leaders of the legislature for their leadership and courageous actions to secure financial assistance for undocumented Californians. They are integral to our economy and are most disproportionately impacted during this crisis. Farm workers, homecare workers, and childcare workers are essential frontline workers who are working every day to feed the nation and keep our communities safe but are especially vulnerable in this crisis.
We will continue working with our leaders in Sacramento to ensure we secure ongoing financial assistance for the lowest-income Californians. It has become even more evident during this crisis just how interconnected and interdependent we all are but we should not forget those who we cannot see, those who are invisible. To ensure a strong and thriving California for all, it is critical that we support everyone, including the undocumented, in our community.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Damairis Lao | dlao@doloreshuerta.org
[BAKERSFIELD, CA] TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2020- Dolores Huerta Foundation celebrates Cesar Chavez day by asking people to stand with farm workers and advocate for their well being. They are among the most vulnerable populations in this devastating pandemic. DHF is asking people to write letters to the governor and contact their elected officials to remind them that farmworkers, regardless of immigration status, need immediate support to stay fed & housed. We can meet this moment & protect our most valuable and vulnerable members of society.
Dolores Huerta, President and Founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation and Co-Founder of the United Farm Workers stated, “Today, we celebrate Cesar Chavez on what would have been his 93rd birthday by honoring the farmworkers who continue to work every single day to produce the food that nourishes us. Farmworkers cannot shelter at home during this pandemic. Farmworkers are part of our frontline defenders, an extremely necessary part of our society that we all depend upon to live and survive. Farmworkers need to be recognized and respected for their dedication and courage and be granted the resources to survive the pandemic like other workers in our country regardless of their immigration status.
Cesar brought that message to the world and demanded dignity and human rights for farmworkers. Let us continue Cesar’s journey and honor him by continuing his quest until all farmworker families, men, women and their children are treated equally with living wages, an equitable education and full representation.
Cesar also respected and advocated for the protection of Mother Earth. Earth Day, which we started 50 years ago, was one of Cesar’s highest priorities. He was a leading spokesperson for protecting the environment, animals and nature. During this difficult time that we are living in, let’s remember Cesar, his vision, his work, his principals and the many sacrifices he made by joining his journey for justice.”
WHO: The Dolores Huerta Foundation as part of the Kern Education Justice Collaborative (KEJC), KHSD students, parents, educators, and community members
WHEN: Thursday, January 30th, 2020 at 5:30 pm
WHERE: March starts at Ross Store at 3761 Ming Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93309 and ends at West High School at 1200 New Stine Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93309
PHOTO OP: Press Conference at 6:30 pm in front of West High School after march. Speakers include parents, youth, and teachers who will list out their demands.
*Note: There will be two press check-in points to pick up your press pass. One will be during the march if you’re walking with the demonstrators. The other will be at the press conference at 6:30 pm. You do not need to check in at both.
BACKGROUND: Six years ago, community members, civil rights lawyers, and community organizations filed a lawsuit against the Kern High School District (KHSD) to end discriminatory discipline practices that targeted black and brown students and deprived them of their right to an education.
This Thursday, the KEJC and community members will demand the KHSD to be transparent in its progress reports and to faithfully implement the agreements of the settlement that will create a positive school environment and improve social, emotional, and academic outcomes for black and brown students.
To this date:
KHSD has failed to hire diverse teachers. This year, KHSD only hired 2% black teachers, 29% latino, and 68% white.
While suspensions and expulsions have gone significantly down, students are being pushed into continuation schools at alarming rates. Continuation schools don’t have the same resources as comprehensive schools, meaning that students will not be college ready when graduating. In 2017-18, continuation schools had a 48% graduation rate. Although African American students only make up 8% of the KHSD population, they attend continuation schools at higher rates. For example, Vista Continuation School has 14% African American students and only has a 36% graduation rate. In 2018-19, Vista West Continuation School had 21 Special education students and only one special education teacher.
Black students continue to have disproportionate rates for voluntary transfers, involuntary transfers, and are still being suspended at 2-3 more times than their white peers.
Jane Fonda’s 11th consecutive “Fire Drill Friday” focused on climate change’s impact on health
PRESS RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Damairis Lao | dlao@doloreshuerta.org
[WASHINGTON, D.C.]December 20, 2019–
“I am honored to join Jane Fonda on the eve of her 82nd birthday, Gloria Steinem and over 100 people today at the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington DC to protest the climate crisis. Not enough people are taking the climate crisis seriously.
We are gradually ruining our planet, our existence is at stake. Air pollution affects all of us. It affects our food supply. People need to realize that our lives and the health of our children are affected.
I’m from Bakersfield in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Sixty percent of our nation’s food supply comes from the San Joaquin Valley of California, an area experiencing the worst air quality in the nation. We owe something to the farm workers that are working and living in the worst climate in the country as they work so hard to feed our country and the world.
We must engage our decision makers to take action. The best action we can take is to meet with local politicians, state representatives, and congressional representatives to pass a Green New Deal, to provide public transportation, to demand an end to fracking, to protect our water supply, and to transition from gas to clean energy.
We have to get involved to stop environmental injustice and work together for environmental justice. We have the power to protect ourselves, future generations, and our humanity.”
“Dolores Huerta Elementary School may be a new name for the Glen Park campus this year but they’re still working on living up to that identity.
The San Francisco Board of Education approved the name change in Augustbut murals, signage, plaques, and books for its community to recognize the full meaning of its new namesake costs money. In turn, parents on a name change committee launched a GoFundMe to raise $20,000 to fully honor Huerta, a longtime labor leader who co-founded the National Farmworkers Association with Cesar Chavez and coined the phrase “Sí, se puede.”
“Our school is where we want to teach students the power of voice, the power of presence, the power of being, the power of standing up for dignity and fighting for equity, embodying the life lessons and activism of someone like Dolores Huerta,” said Luis Rodriguez, Dolores Huerta Elementary principal, in October. “By adopting the name of a strong Latina leader, we also would like to send a message of empowerment to all our female students, particularly our female students of color.”
We appreciate all you do to work for justice. We are proud to stand with you in expanding the organizing power of our communities to make real and lasting change. The Vecinos Unidos (Neighbors United) have made incredible gains by engaging with school boards to push for education reform to achieve better academic outcomes for their children, in advocating to local elected boards to demand fair and just representation, and increasing voter participation in local and general elections. At our first Annual Vecinos Unidos Leadership Conference in 2019 we brought together hundreds of youth and adult leaders from the nine Vecinos Unidos chapters in Kern, Tulare, and Fresno counties.
We are pleased to share the launch of our Youth and Family Civic Engagement Initiative (YFCEI) program. We are developing the leaders of the future. These young people are learning about civic institutions, public speaking, and developing an understanding of meaningful leadership and self-expression through art and poetry and hands on civic engagement opportunities.
In 2017, Governor Brown declared April 10th Dolores Huerta in the state of California. We hope we can count on you to help us make this a day that extends beyond California to inspire people to learn more about the power of grassroots community organizing and to volunteer in service of their local communities. In addition, the DHF Education Department worked with a team of expert educators to create the Dolores Huerta Curriculum which we hope will be adopted by school districts to teach civil rights and community organizing.
We share our excitement and gratitude with you as we celebrate 15 years of organizing communities to pursue justice and look hopefully towards the future!
Thank you for being a part of this movement! I feel honored and privileged to spend my days working together to inspire and organize communities to build volunteer-based organizations empowered to pursue social justice.
California Values Act or better known as the “sanctuary state” bill, SB 54 would keep our people safe and decrease the fear and vulnerability they face when out in the community. A “common sense law” that protects and helps “our schools, hospitals, courthouses and libraries be safe spaces for our community members despite birthplace, background or appearance,” is what we are fighting for in 2017.
“We must take a clear stand for our deepest values: All people are created equal and deserve due process.
