The recent news involving a longtime labor leader, Cesar Chavez, and the incredible courage of respected voices like Dolores Huerta and other victims, who recently came forward about their abuse, is deeply troubling and heartbreaking. 

As a survivor of domestic violence, I know how difficult it can be to tell your story and find the courage to come forward publicly. I commend the courage of Dolores Huerta and those who have shared their experiences — we see you, we hear you, and we stand with you. 

We must also honor those who were never given the space to speak out for fear of retaliation or not being believed. 

We must be unequivocal: we believe survivors. Their voices must not be dismissed, minimized, or rewritten. We must create space for others to come forward, it is painful, but it is necessary.

As the daughter of a farmworker, this moment is especially painful. But we will not lose sight of our mission. 

We will continue to fight for survivors and for the hardworking farmworkers who sustain our communities with dignity, respect, and their hard labor.