Huerta: labor a vital need

Hundreds of people chanted "Viva Martin Luther King!" and "Viva Caesar Chavez!" in the Mendelssohn Theatre last night. The voices were led by Dolores Huerta, a woman who has been described as the most prominent Mexican-American labor leader in the United States.

Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers of America with Caesar Chavez more than 30 years ago and has dedicated her life to improving the working and living conditions of U.S. farm laborers.

"It's great to come here to Ann Arbor," Huerta said, after receiving a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd. "The president of our union and our third vice president are both graduates of this school. Ann Arbor creates a lot of leadership ..

EMILY NATHAN/Daily Dolores Huerta speaks last night before an enthusiastic crowd at the Mendelssohn Theater. She is regarded as a prominent labor leader in the United States.

. to take over after Caesar passed away."

Students, faculty and community activists turned out to hear the motivational words of the national leader.

"I'm here to find out about what she did because in doing all she did, she helped me out," said LSA junior Carlos Evans, who identified himself as part Costa Rican and part African American.

Huerta's message held special meaning for listeners during a week of celebrations honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"On MLK day it's important to remember the point is we've struggled to come to a certain point, but we're still struggling," said LSA senior Farrah Wilder. "We have to give respect to and learn about all different struggles."

Carmen Guerrero and David Rocha, two berry farm workers from Watsonville, Calif., joined Huerta on stage and spoke in Spanish with the aid of a translator.

"We are requesting the same rights as everyone else has," Guerrero said.

These rights include working in a pesticide-free environment, Guerrero said as she described the rashes and headaches she and her fellow workers experience while they work in the fields.

Guerrero said she also demands to be paid at least the national minimum wage, have clean and accessible bathrooms and be able to work without sexual harassment.

"In 1996 the agri-business of California was up $1billion in profits and the wages of the workers dropped 23 percent," Huerta said.

When people see videos of the conditions of the workers in California, they often say "that has to be Mexico or Guatemala, that can't be the U.S.," Huerta added.

Since its establishment, the union has successfully brought medical care to the workers, built quality housing and convinced hundreds of supermarkets to sign pledges to support farm workers rights, Huerta said.

"We know these conditions can change," Huerta said.

Encouraging local activism to support the workers, Huerta introduced Todd Mireles, publication manager of the United Farm Workers in Michigan.

"We must take these words and translate them into action," Mireles said.

He invited people interested in learning more about the issue to meet outside the Ann Arbor Whole Foods Market on Saturday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

"Dolores Huerta is a strong Chicana and she holds a special part in all of our hearts," said Diana Derige, co-president of Alianza, which sponsored the event along with La Voz Mexicana and MEChA.

"She's struggled for justice and equality for all people and she has a lot of wisdom we should all share," Derige said.

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