Activist Dolores Huerta highlights power of the people, voting at USD lecture
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — At the age of 95, Dolores Huerta is showing no signs of slowing down.
The civil rights icon and labor leader spoke at the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Wednesday night as part of the distinguished lecture series and urged community members to keep pushing for social change.
At one point during her speech, Huerta repeated the phrase "sí se puede," which in English translates to "yes, it can be done" or "yes, you can." It's a phrase she coined in the early 70s which still inspires after all these years.
“Collectively, we do have the power to change things and to make things right and to make the kind of policies that that we want and that we deserve," said Huerta.
More than 300 people packed USD's Peace and Justice Theater and an overflow room to hear Huerta's message.
“I hope folks walk away with the energy that we’re feeling about the possibility of speaking to someone like this," said Darren Kew, Dean of the Kroc School of Peace Studies at the USD. "Dolores Huerta was central of course in the farmworker's union movement here in California, but she’s continued to be an important advocate across a host of issues."
Huerta recalled lessons forged through decades of community activism alongside Cesar Chavez.
“Even after a five-year strike that we did not win, it was not until the American public rose up and we had 19 million Americans that refused to buy grapes and they didn’t shop at the stores that were carrying grapes and that is actually what brought us a victory," said Huerta.
It's that same passion Huerta hopes to instill in younger generations who showed up to hear from her.
“I grew up learning about her in school. I'm from the Coachella Valley, so obviously she’s very big over there -- led the farmworker movement over in the Coachella Valley -- and she’s always been one of my idols, someone to really look up to," said Vianca Terriquez, a student at the USD.
Huerta continues to shine a light on key issues of our time, including promoting peace through nonviolence.
“We got to show up, we got to protest and we got to march," she told the audience.
When it comes to issues like immigration, labor and preserving democracy, Huerta said civil engagement is crucial.
“I’m talking about registering to vote, voting, organizing, recruiting your friends and your neighbors to join and help them join in the movement," she explained.
Huerta also discussed the importance of holding elected officials accountable and California’s Proposition 50 which will appear on the November ballot.
