In 1965, Filipino and Mexican American farmworkers in California became inextricably linked when they mobilized to strike against grape growers.
The Afternoon WireThe birthright citizenship case at the Supreme Court hits close to home for this immigrant motherBulls waive guard Jaden Ivey after anti-LGBTQ comments, remarks about religion on InstagramMary Beth Hurt, Tony-nominated Broadway and film actor, dies at 79NASA begins the countdown for humanity's first launch to the moon in 53 yearsViral phenomenon in Argentina has young people identifying themselves as animalsMore women are having babies later in life.
How to improve your chance of a healthy pregnancyA photo captures black spots on clothespins that reveal the environmental toll of conflict in TehranTrump threatens to destroy Iran's desalination plants. Here’s what that could mean for the MideastCorn tortillas in California now must contain folic acid. More states are looking at itWorries about flying seem to be taking off. Here's how to cope with in-flight anxietyJury finds Instagram and YouTube liable in a landmark social media addiction trialDo-it-yourself projects can save money and build confidence, or do the oppositeEl papa León XIV rechaza en Domingo de Ramos las afirmaciones de que Dios justifica la guerraEl papa León XIV rechaza en Domingo de Ramos las afirmaciones de que Dios justifica la guerraLIVE Student shoots a teacher at Texas high school before fatally shooting self, authorities sayAirport cleared to be renamed for Trump as he unveils design for skyscraper libraryNFL set to begin hiring and training replacement officials, AP sources saySysco expands into high-margin restaurant segment with $29 billion dealApollo's impatient old-timers are rooting for NASA's return to the moon with Artemis II launchA red fox stows away on a cargo ship, traveling from England to the USWorries about flying seem to be taking off. Here's how to cope with in-flight anxietyAt Middle Creek, timing and distance shape a photo of migrating geeseTrump threatens to destroy Iran's desalination plants. Here’s what that could mean for the MideastCorn tortillas in California now must contain folic acid. More states are looking at itWorries about flying seem to be taking off. Here's how to cope with in-flight anxietyJury finds Instagram and YouTube liable in a landmark social media addiction trialDo-it-yourself projects can save money and build confidence, or do the oppositeEl papa León XIV rechaza en Domingo de Ramos las afirmaciones de que Dios justifica la guerraEl papa León XIV rechaza en Domingo de Ramos las afirmaciones de que Dios justifica la guerraRace and EthnicityUnited Farm Workers leader Cesar Chavez, left, who led the fight as head of the AFL-CIO union local, talks with Larry Itliong, leader of the Filipino Agriculture Workers Organizing Committee, in front of union headquarters at Delano, Calif., July 28, 1967. National City mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis speaks during the dedication of a civil rights leaders mural at San Ysidro Health-South Bay health care clinic, Nov. 22, 2022, in National City, Calif. United Farm Workers leader Cesar Chavez, left, who led the fight as head of the AFL-CIO union local, talks with Larry Itliong, leader of the Filipino Agriculture Workers Organizing Committee, in front of union headquarters at Delano, Calif., July 28, 1967. United Farm Workers leader Cesar Chavez, left, who led the fight as head of the AFL-CIO union local, talks with Larry Itliong, leader of the Filipino Agriculture Workers Organizing Committee, in front of union headquarters at Delano, Calif., July 28, 1967. National City mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis speaks during the dedication of a civil rights leaders mural at San Ysidro Health-South Bay health care clinic, Nov. 22, 2022, in National City, Calif. National City mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis speaks during the dedication of a civil rights leaders mural at San Ysidro Health-South Bay health care clinic, Nov. 22, 2022, in National City, Calif. Filipino and Mexican American farmworkers united in 1965 to strike against California grape growers, under the stewardship of Filipino labor leader Larry Itliong and one of the founders of the National Farm Workers Association, César Chavez. It was a pivotal moment that has been highlighted inand advocates want to rename the March 31 celebration to focus on Filipino and Chicano farmworkers, particularly women, while acknowledging“We really need to kind of center this trauma of women and sexual abuse,” said Dillon Delvo, executive director of Little Manila Rising, a longtime Filipino community hub in Stockton, California. “It’s definitely what the discussion needs to be.”from 1898 to 1946, many Filipinos studied English and were authorized to immigrate to America. From the 1920s to the ‘60s, tens of thousands of Filipinos joined the U.S. agricultural workforce, working on farms and in factories and canneries, primarily in the West. The first wave of men — who arrived from the Philippines’ Ilocano-speaking region — were known as “manong,” an affectionate term for older brother. Many Filipino farmworkers suffered discrimination in the form of inferior wages, shabby housing and poor working conditions, just so they could earn money to send home. They also weathered loneliness since few Filipino women immigrated and anti-miscegenation laws prohibited marrying outside their race. By the 1960s, Filipino farmworkers had formed the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to plan labor strikes. “It came out of necessity and desperation to protect themselves, to try to live in dignity,” said Dennis Arguelles, Southern California director for the National Parks Conservation Association. The region Arguelles, who is Filipino, monitors includes monuments to Filipino farmworkers and Chavez.Itliong and fellow organizer Philip Vera Cruz led the Committee to vote on Sept. 8, 1965, to strike against grape growers in Delano, California. They demanded to be paid at least the federal minimum wage. Itliong, the more “fiery union leader,” called Chavez who — along with“Chavez was hesitant to strike,” Arguelles said. “You didn’t feel like the National Farm Workers Association was ready to take on these powerful agribusiness interests. These business structures were very effective in pitting different ethnicities against each other to break strikes.” A week later, they officially joined forces as the United Farm Workers. The Delano grape strike lasted five years and rocked the industry, ending in collective bargaining agreements for thousands of laborers. The popular narrative around Itliong’s leadership has almost always been attached to Chavez, as they appear together in textbooks, historical exhibits and murals around California. The allegations against Chavez have sparked warnings against elevating — even deifying — historical figures. “There always seems to be a need to be like a main character,” Delvo said. “But the problem is that is not what a union is about.”“Maybe this is our opportunity to tell a more accurate and comprehensive narrative of what took place, Arguelles said “I see that as being a positive thing.” Last week, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors at a public meeting took steps to rename César Chavez Day as. Some suggested moving the holiday, which is Tuesday, to Sept. 8 to honor striking Filipino workers. Itliong’s 60-year-old son, Johnny, said Chavez had tried to “erase the history” of how the Delano strike began. “I’ve spent my whole life speaking up for my father and his generation of men and women who fed America,” Itliong said at the meeting.“Larry the Musical: An American Journey,” a musical about the Filipino farmworkers movement, refers to Chavez only once, in a scene when Itliong calls him. The producers also made sure the story included the women in Itliong’s life. Recent events have reaffirmed the importance of that creative decision. “From the beginning, we have always centered this musical on the women of the community as those who keep Larry and the community accountable, and the ones who pass on knowledge to the next generation,” co-producers Gayle Romasanta and Bryan Pangilinan said in a statement. Vernadette Gonzalez, an ethnic studies professor at University of California, Berkeley, said educators should seize the chance to herald the unsung heroes of the Filipino farmworkers movement. For example, Hispanic female members of the United Farm Workers were busy raising their families and preparing food for meetings. “Nobody’s crediting them in the minutes of the meeting,” Gonzalez said. “Who’s missing from the story? In the United Farmworkers movement, folks will say ‘It’s Larry Itliong and the Filipino farmworkers.’ But I would also say ‘Where are the women?’”Tang reports on race and ethnicity issues, including Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, for The Associated Press. She is based in Phoenix and previously covered breaking news in the Southwest.
General News California Strikes Arizona AZ State Wire Labor U.S. News Gayle Romasanta Dolores Huerta Philip Vera Cruz Business Bryan Pangilinan Activism Race And Ethnicity Agriculture Dennis Arguelles Philippines Dillon Delvo Race And Ethnicity U.S. News
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
As fourth man dies at Adelanto ICE detention center, Mexican officials call for investigationFour Mexican national have died at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, which is facing a federal class-action lawsuit. Mexico is calling for an investigation into the deaths.
Read more »
Mexican Immigrant Dies in ICE Custody Amidst High Detention NumbersA Mexican national, Jose Guadalupe Ramos-Solano, died in an ICE facility outside Los Angeles. This occurred as ICE detention numbers remain high, exceeding 68,000 in mid-February. The Mexican government plans to protest the death. The Department of Justice also defended controversial arrests via an ICE memo.
Read more »
Mexican President Sheinbaum and FIFA's Infantino discuss 2026 World Cup plansMexico is stepping up planning for the 2026 World Cup after President Claudia Sheinbaum met FIFA chief Gianni Infantino in Mexico City. Sheinbaum said Monday they reviewed preparations over breakfast at the National Palace. Mexico, the United States and Canada will co-host the event in June and July.
Read more »
Mexican Consulate General of LA calls Adelanto ICE facility immigrant deaths an 'unacceptable trend'The family of Jose Guadalupe Ramos-Solano, who died in US immigration custody in Adelanto last week, also attended Monday's news conference at the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles.
Read more »
Mexican immigrant died in US immigration custody, ICE says, marking 14 deaths in 2026A Mexican immigrant died in U.S. immigration custody in Los Angeles on March 25, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said on Monday, marking at least 14 deaths in ICE custody in 2026.
Read more »
Chavez abuse claims prompt reflection on the history of Filipino farmworkers in the USFilipino and Mexican American farmworkers united in 1965 to strike against California grape growers, under the stewardship of Filipino labor leader Larry
Read more »