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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals
Contact: Matthew Hardy, 510-703-5291

Sacramento, CA – CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals released the following statement from President Jeffery Freitas on the passing of labor movement pioneer Dolores Huerta:

“Today, the labor movement has lost a fierce champion for workers rights and equality. CFT joins working people everywhere in mourning the passing of Dolores Huerta.

“Dolores Huerta began her career as a public school teacher in the Central Valley. The inequities she observed in her classroom are what inspired her to organize families for better working and living conditions, and drove her tireless fight to bring equity and justice to underserved communities across our state and the nation. Her greatest passion was fighting for farmworkers, organizing with them, building power with them and fighting alongside them for the rights they deserve.

“She stood by CFT time and again to fight for living wages for educators and school workers, improve working conditions and help more Californians earn a college degree. She understood that quality public education is absolutely essential to empowering the next generation. She also fought so that all students were welcome and safe at school.

“Our work is inspired every day by the beliefs that she embodied – organizing, building powerful coalitions, and taking on the most rich and powerful to ensure workers benefit from their own labor, not just corporations. 

“Our public schools have recently been targeted by those who wish to separate families and instill fear in our communities. Dolores fought until her last breath for immigrants, for LGBTQ+ communities, and for working families. She did not let fear hold her back, and she never backed down from a fight.

“We will carry her legacy by continuing to empower students and educators. When our public schools are strong and safe, families and communities thrive. We won’t let you down Dolores. Sí, se puede!”

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CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals represents 120,000 teachers, faculty, and school employees in public and private schools and colleges, from early childhood through higher education. It is the statewide affiliate of the AFT. More information at www.cft.org.