People from across California gathered in Delano on March 31 to demonstrate their solidarity with immigrant communities and to celebrate former civil rights advocate Cesar Chavez, who once led a five-year strike challenging California farmers in Delano, demanding fair wages and better working conditions for farm laborers.
The event was organized by the United Farm Workers Foundation, an organization founded by activists Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Philip Vera Cruz. Participants met at Memorial Park before beginning their journey to the Forty Acres, a historic site and headquarters for the UFW.
People traveled from Sacramento, Oakland, Salinas, Monterey Bay, Fresno, Visalia, and Los Angeles to Delano for the event, joining forces and fostering unity.
“I am here today to support immigrants, all immigrants. This is a country of immigrants,” said Maria Caballero, a resident of Salinas.
Nearly one-third of the United States population is made up of Latinos, according to a study by the Pew Research Center. Another study by the USDA found that 55% of farm workers in 2022 were of Mexican origin. However, as labor work becomes more demanding, wages have failed to increase, leaving workers without economic stability.
Under the Trump administration, marginalized communities have been targeted through efforts to deport immigrant rights advocates, essential workers, green card holders, and more. Immigration raids have been ongoing since the administration took office. President Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric has instilled fear among immigrant communities, from adults to children.
A member of the Oakland Education Association shared that she attended the event to support her students.
“I teach 100% immigrant students in Oakland, California. I teach English Language Learners, so I’m here to defend my students’ rights,” said the member.
“I have many students facing the threat of deportation and living in fear. As middle schoolers, they are aware of what’s going on in the world and are terrified of their parents and siblings being deported. They don’t know what’s going to happen in the coming years.”
Oscar Camargo, who traveled from Monterey, California, explained that he attended to support the movement and honor the legacy Cesar Chavez left behind.
People of all ages and physical abilities were seen and heard throughout the movement, chanting “Sí se puede.”
Alicia García, a former farm laborer and member of SEIU 2015, told Kern Sol that she lived and worked during the time Chavez was fighting for farm worker rights.
“I worked in the fields of Coalinga and the surrounding areas. I found working in the fields to be beautiful, but we constantly faced issues with immigration,” said García.
“Today, I am marching to remember once again how we walked more than 300 miles from Delano to Sacramento for a law that would give farm workers the right to unionize. I also want to honor farm laborers, especially during these difficult times when we are being criminalized,” said Xochitl Nunez.
California State Attorney General Rob Bonta was among the many in attendance, demonstrating support for the cause.
Speaking with Kern Sol, Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized, “It’s really important that immigrant communities know their rights, and those rights must be honored.”
“There are rules regarding immigration enforcement. In California, local law enforcement, with some exceptions, is not allowed to participate in immigration enforcement. That is the law in the state of California, and it must be followed,” said Bonta.
When asked about efforts to challenge the new administration, the Attorney General shared with Kern Sol, “If and when — unfortunately, it’s been when — the Trump administration violates the law, we take them to court and stop them. He is not allowed to violate the law.”
Since taking office, President Trump has faced over 100 lawsuits, 30 of which address his immigration policies. The administration has actively attempted to dismantle birthright citizenship, end sanctuary cities, detain innocent people, and permit ICE presence in protected community spaces.
“Unfortunately, we’ve had to sue them once a week for eight weeks because once a week for eight weeks, they broke the law. We do not want to sue him. We want him to follow the law,” Bonta stated.
Under this administration, laws and rights are being violated, affecting countless individuals across the United States.
“We’d rather see them honor people’s rights, not violate them. Our job is to uphold the law and ensure it’s enforced, not allow anyone, especially the president, to break the law,” said California State Attorney General Rob Bonta.
