07 June 2016

Washington, D.C — "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Helen Fabela Chavez’s family, her seven surviving children, 31 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and all the lives she nurtured, inspired, and sustained in the farmworker movement and beyond during her time on this earth.

In reaction to her passing, the United Farm Workers (UFW) shared that her 'humility, selflessness, quiet heroism and fiery perseverance were at the heart of the movement she helped build.' We see her spirit reflected in the indefatigable courage of millions of farmworkers who feed us, and take tremendous risks to raise their voice and demand justice from fields across the nation, to state capitols, court rooms, Congress and the Administration.

As long as our nation continues to deny farmworkers equal rights and protections under the law, whether it’s from our inequitable labor, immigration or environmental policies, the fight will continue. And Helen and Cesar will be ever present, breathing life and courage into the ongoing fight to eliminate the inequities that leave farmworkers less protected than everyone else.

For over a decade, we have had the honor of working with the United Farm Workers (UFW) inside and outside of the courtroom. Honoring the legacy of Helen and Cesar, the movement they helped bring to life, and the future they envisioned for farmworkers, their children and broader communities, Earthjustice will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in the farmworker movement.”