Tributes emphasize voting, labor and immigrant rights
The Associated Press gathered reactions to Dolores Huerta’s death on Wednesday from allies on social causes and from others who said her legacy inspired them. Several described becoming public servants, volunteering and organizing within their own communities because of Huerta, and they said they would continue the causes she had supported.
Deanna Muñoz, founder and president of the Chicano Center for the Arts in Missouri, said she never met Huerta but believed her courage, love and sense of purpose live on in people who refuse to be silent. She wrote: “She taught generations of Chicanas like me that we don’t have to ask permission to take up space, that our voices matter, and that standing up for our people is never something we should apologize for.”
Martin Luther King III described Huerta’s friendship with his mother, Coretta Scott King, and their work advancing the Civil Rights Movement. He said: “Dolores shared a cherished friendship with my beloved mother, Coretta Scott King, forged through their shared commitment to justice and their work advancing the Civil Rights Movement. Their friendship reflected the deep bonds between the struggles for Black and Latino equality and the belief that our collective strength will always be greater than the forces seeking to divide us.”
Former President Joe Biden described Huerta as someone who fought for working people, organized in fields, walked picket lines and sat across the table from people who had not expected to negotiate with her. “Dolores fought for working people,” Biden said. He also said Huerta understood his view that unions built the middle class and that, well into her nineties, she continued traveling, marching and organizing for working families, women, immigrants and LGBTQ Americans. Biden said she showed courage this year by telling a painful truth she had carried for sixty years so others would not have to carry it alone, adding: “America is fairer and more decent because of Dolores Huerta.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris said the work of Huerta and the United Farm Workers was a driving force for change across California and the country. She said: “Thanks to her, immigrants and workers won better wages, working conditions, environmental protections, and voting rights. I was blessed to know Dolores for many years and proud to organize alongside my dear friend to champion working families and immigrant rights.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Huerta inspired her activism from a young age and called knowing her and calling her a friend an honor and privilege. Bass said: “Her legacy is one of dignity and equality for all, and proof of what ordinary people can accomplish when they organize.” She said people could build a greater life for themselves, their community, their city and their country despite odds and obstacles.
New Mexico Democratic U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández recalled Huerta asking a question at every rally and leading the crowd in its answer. Leger Fernández said: “At every rally, Dolores Huerta would ask, ‘Who has the power?’ And together, we would roar back, ‘The people have the power!’ She spent her life reminding us that power doesn’t belong to the wealthy or the powerful. It belongs to the people who march, who organize, who vote, who stand up for one another. Dolores may not be here to lead the chant, but her voice will echo through generations. And every time we raise our voices for justice, we will answer her call.”
NAACP President Derrick Johnson said: “When Dolores turned 21, she celebrated her birthday by registering to vote. As we honor her today and every day, let’s do our part to fight for labor rights, to fight for civil rights, and to make our voices heard at the ballot box. May she rest in peace and power.”
Latino Victory Project president and CEO Katharine Pichardo said: “Without Dolores, Latino Victory would not exist — we are eternally grateful to her for breaking barriers and paving the way for Latino civil rights, political power, and Latina activism.” Pichardo said Huerta inspired millions and that honoring her memory meant continuing advocacy for working families and civil rights while strengthening Latino political power.
Former U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Huerta’s living legacy was her lifelong struggle for justice for the farmworkers who feed the nation. Salazar said his family and he worked alongside her for more than 50 years, inspired by her leadership across the United States and Mexico. He called diversity the country’s greatest strength and said, “In her words, we can change the world for the better: ¡Sí se puede!”
National Women’s Law Center president and CEO Fatima Goss Graves said: “Huerta showed extreme bravery and fortitude, even toward the end of her life when she powerfully reminded everyone that every survivor should be heard, believed and supported.” She said honoring Huerta meant continuing the work of achieving justice and supporting workers across every community.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said: “Well into her nineties, Dolores spoke hard truths regardless of personal cost. She showed up for people who were at risk, taken advantage of, underserved and unheard until the day she died. My heart is with her family and the Dolores Huerta Foundation. Rest in power, Dolores.”
California state Sen. Anna Caballero said Huerta confronted people in power, refused to be silenced and dedicated her life to workers who deserved dignity, fair wages and a better future. She said: “She never backed down, and neither should we. Her legacy asks something of each of us: to stand firm even when it’s hard and even when the odds are against us.”