Students, faculty, and community members gathered at Bakersfield College on Tuesday night for a screening of American Agitators, a documentary exploring the life and legacy of community organizers who helped shape civil rights and labor movements across the United States.
The documentary, directed by Raymond Telles, focused on the story of Fred Ross Sr., a mentor to César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, and other leaders who fought for justice and equality.
The event, held at the Levan Center, was organized by the college’s Outreach and Special Projects office, the History Department, and the History Club, with support from the AB540 and Undocumented Student Services office.
Before the screening, longtime labor advocate Gustavo Aguirre, who made a brief appearance in the film, talked about his many years of work in community and labor organizing.
“We can change our systems if we organize ourselves and others,” he said. “I’m grateful that we have the opportunity to be part of this.”
Through narration and interviews, the film showed how Ross developed grassroots organizing methods that helped empower working-class communities across California and beyond.
Ross began his career during the Great Depression with the Farm Security Administration, where he witnessed the struggles of migrant farmworkers. He later helped found the Community Service Organization in Los Angeles with Saul Alinsky, organizing voter drives and leadership training for Mexican American residents.
His efforts helped elect Edward Roybal, the first Latino to serve on the Los Angeles City Council in more than 100 years.
Ross’s organizing approach, based on small house meetings, listening to personal stories, and identifying shared issues, became the model for future social movements.
He later mentored César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, who went on to lead the United Farm Workers and organize major labor strikes across California’s fields. His legacy continued through later generations, including his son Fred Ross Jr., who trained activists and campaign organizers nationwide.
The film connected Ross’s methods to modern movements for social and environmental justice, including ongoing efforts in California’s Central Valley.
During the discussion after the screening, Andres Chávez, executive director of the César Chávez Foundation, shared how deeply his family respected Fred Ross Sr. He said his family spoke about Fred Ross Sr. with deep respect, describing his name as “the equivalent of Jesus Christ” in their home.
He said Ross’s organizing work helped open doors for Latino students to get an education and influenced how campaigns were run years later.
“Fred had a direct impact,” Chavez said. “The work he did paved the way for us brown folks who are here right now to have an education.”
Audience members shared their thoughts on the film’s message about community organizing and social change.
Several students said the documentary helped them understand how earlier generations built the foundation for today’s movements. They said seeing familiar places like Arvin and Delano made the story feel personal and connected to their own communities.
Bakersfield College’s Director of Outreach and Special Projects, Frank Ramirez, mentioned that the film was recently shown at Columbia University, where it received similar praise.
“Everyone felt inspired by the film,” he said. “I love how Fred Ross kind of disappears at the end, and all the people he set on fire to do the work today are the ones highlighted.”
