AFT’s Weingarten, DeJesus Mourn the Passing of Dolores Huerta

WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten and AFT Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus, who is also president of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, released the following statement on the passing of Dolores Huerta, the labor movement trailblazer and legendary civil rights activist and community organizer:

“Today, we mourn the passing of an American shero, a giant of the labor and civil rights movements and a remarkable woman whose extraordinary life was dedicated to lifting up working people, fighting injustice and giving a voice to those too often left unheard.

“Dolores Huerta showed us what courage looks like. She stood alongside farmworkers, fought for their dignity and fairness, and reminded generations that working folks united in purpose have the power to change their circumstances. Her unwavering belief in the power of collective action gave us a rallying cry that will forever live in our hearts: ‘¡Sí, se puede!’

“We will forever cherish spending time with Dolores this summer at the AFT convention. Being in her presence was a powerful reminder that the movements we build are carried forward by the courage, conviction and sacrifices of those who came before us.

“Her legacy is woven into the fabric of our labor movement and our nation’s ongoing struggle for justice. She leaves us with not only a remarkable history of accomplishments, but also the story of the personal struggle and sacrifice she disclosed in the twilight of her life. She taught us the responsibility to fight for working families, protect the vulnerable, teach our children and build a better future for generations to come.

“Rest in power, Dolores. Your voice, your courage and your spirit will live on in all of us who continue this work.

“¡Sí, se puede! Siempre.”