On March 31, César Chávez Day, approximately 5,000 union members, community members, and allies from all over California gathered in Delano, the birthplace of the United Farm Workers (UFW) union, to honor the late labor leader and to march in solidarity with immigrant workers. The march, “Con Estas Manos / With These Hands,” highlighted the importance of immigrant essential workers to the economy and was the largest mobilization of union workers on behalf of immigrant rights so far this year, UFW organizers said.
We’re at Memorial Park in Delano to kick off the Cesar Chavez Day march in solidarity with immigrant workers! Glad to see @seiu-uhw.bsky.social representing! #ConEstasManos #WithTheseHands
— California Federation of Labor Unions (@californialabor.bsky.social) 2025-03-31T17:57:43.285Z
Among the marchers was Carolina Sanchez, a farmworker who organized hundreds of her coworkers to strike “after the blueberry farm where she worked changed the daily rate for each pound she picked,” NBC News reported. “Eventually, they won a union contract, and Sanchez was elected as the union representative at her workplace.”
Sanchez and her coworkers joined other essential workers like construction and health care workers, faith leaders, unions like the California Federation of Labor Unions and SEIU California, leaders like California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and the family of César Chávez to march from Delano’s Memorial Park to the UFW union hall at 40 Acres, the national historic landmark where Chávez held his first public fast in support of farmworker rights.
Today fast food workers are marching alongside @ufw.bsky.social, electricians, airport workers, janitors, rideshare drivers, healthcare workers, service workers and more. It takes 17 minutes to walk the length of the march. Immigrants' hands make America, not billionaires. #ConEstasManos
— California Fast Food Workers Union (@cafastfoodunion.bsky.social) 2025-03-31T19:00:13.834Z
Speakers stressed the need to honor the legacy of César Chávez by standing in solidarity with the essential workers who feed us, and ensuring the protection, dignity, and rights of all workers who keep vital industries alive and have been critical to our economy’s growth. At least half of the nation’s roughly 2.4 million farmworkers are estimated to lack legal immigration status. In California, that number could be as high as 75%. These often overlooked farmworkers also fed us during the pandemic and were among the essential workers who risked their lives to keep our vital food sector running.
There’s truly no understating their importance. Pete Wiersma, the president of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association, said last year that he didn’t think there could be a dairy industry without the skills and labor of immigrant workers. “I just don’t think we could get it done,” he said. “Workers from Mexico and other Latin American countries make up an estimated 70% of the labor force on Wisconsin dairy farms,” the Wisconsin Examiner said last year. Many are undocumented.
Hilario's been a UFW member 40+ yrs in Coachella, CA. He fought w/Cesar in the early days. "I thank César for teaching us to defend ourselves. We have many benefits we didn't have before: good salaries, better treatment, vacations, holidays, a medical & pension plan. #WeFeedYou
— United Farm Workers (@ufw.bsky.social) 2025-03-31T14:01:17.102Z
Ahead of the march, Hilario, a farmworker and UFW member of more than four decades, shared how he’s been a part of the movement for labor rights for years. “I want to personally thank César for teaching us to defend ourselves and enjoy the benefits that he fought for together with us,” he said in a video shared by UFW. “We have many benefits that we didn’t have before, better treatment and also better salaries than the average worker … I met César personally, he considered me a person …”
We are thrilled to stand in solidarity with @agrobbonta.oag.ca.gov here at the Cesar Chavez Day march for immigrant workers. #ConEstasManos #WithTheseHands
— California Federation of Labor Unions (@californialabor.bsky.social) 2025-03-31T18:15:27.932Z
Bonta, an immigrant originally from the Philippines, shared his personal connection to the march. “Being here is like coming home for me,” he told NBC News. “I grew up with my parents working for United Farm Workers, and I know the fight is not about the grapes or the lettuce, but it’s about the people,” he continued, quoting some of Chávez’s most enduring words.
The Labor Movement was built by immigrant workers. They do the hardest & lowest-paid jobs. These hands, working hands, built our country. They inspire us to make the American Dream a reality for all. Lorena Gonzalez, President California Labor Federation #ConEstasManos
— United Farm Workers (@ufw.bsky.social) 2025-03-31T21:51:51.333Z
On this Cesar Chavez Day, we champion our immigrant brothers & sisters. They are the essential workers who feed all of America and much of the world. We will unite to protect them. Arturo Rodriguez, President Emeritus UFW #ConEstasManos
— United Farm Workers (@ufw.bsky.social) 2025-03-31T20:16:26.729Z
The Rev. Brandon Johnson of First Christian Church of Burbank was among the many attendees who traveled from across the state to march with workers. He said his faith called him to stand in solidarity with immigrants. “Immigrants are a story throughout scripture,” Rev. Johnson told Bakersfield.com. “Jesus himself and his family were refugees. So standing up for those rights and protecting those individuals is fundamental to my faith and my theology.”
Everyone out here today represents the labor, love, and strength that makes this country run. Because no matter the work, no matter the job, the hands of immigrants and working people are what truly build America. #ConEstasManos #WithTheseHands
— Rocío Sáenz (@seiusaenz.bsky.social) 2025-03-31T20:12:25.097Z
Hard to overstate how long this march is in Delano, CA. Easily thousands here.
“In a time like this, it takes courage just to do what we have been doing,” said UFW President Teresa Romero.“Farm workers – like all workers – need to keep organizing to protect themselves and protect each other. The thousands of workers gathering in Delano are all sending a very clear message of solidarity with ALL workers, no matter where they work or where they are from.” It’s necessary to recognize and honor the labor of essential workers – and we can and must do more.
Today, we honored the legacy of Cesar Chavez with our SOLIDARITY! 7,000+ working people from the cities to the fields united in Delano. We are defiant, powerful, united and we will win. Sí, se puede! #ConEstasManos
— United Farm Workers (@ufw.bsky.social) 2025-04-01T04:34:56.725Z
César Chávez…Presente! Today, we honored the legacy of Cesar Chavez with 7,000+ working people from all over CA uniting in Delano to stand up for immigrant workers. Sí, se puede! #ConEstasManos #ConEstasManos #WeFeedYou
— United Farm Workers (@ufw.bsky.social) 2025-04-01T05:46:17.748Z
“My dad showed us that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things. His life serves as a blueprint for change, demonstrating that when we organize, persist, and stand together, we win.” said Chávez’s son Paul. “The unparalleled threats immigrants, Latinos, and farmworkers are facing deserves a dignified response, and with today’s march, we honor the life of Cesar Chavez and send a clear signal: every single one of us has the power to better our lives when we stand together and fight for what’s right.”
