La Union del Pueblo Entero

Farm Worker Flag

• Black eagle: symbolizes oppression of farm worker (Aztec eagle made easy to draw)

• White circle: hope of the movement

• Red background: sacrifice and hard work for the struggle

• Viva la Causa!

LUPE Background

• Founded by Cesar Chavez in 1989

• Why the need for a community union?– give voices to issues of low-

income families – collective membership =

collective action– membership benefits: insurance,

merchant discounts, pharmacy discounts, attorney referrals, clinic referrals

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit – unique blend of community organizing & social services

Calls to action…• “From the depth of need and despair, people can

work together, can organize themselves to solve their own problems and fill their own needs with dignity and strength.” - Cesar Chavez

• “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” - Lila Watson

The Flywheel of the Movement La Rueda del Movimiento

The action and reflection of the membership becomes the driving force

that creates the momentum for social change

6000+LUPE

MEMBERS

CivilRights

YouthDevelopment

EconomicDevelopment

OrganizationalDevelopment

CommunityEducation

Housing

SocialServices

ConsumerBenefits

Community Union History in the RGV

• During UFW’s time:-1981 – outlaw the short-handled hoe-1983 – clean toilets & safe drinking water in

fields -1984 – inclusion under workers comp-1985 – unemployment compensation-1985 – minimum wage improvement ($1.40 to

$3.35)-2001 – worked with coalition on resident

tuition for immigrant students

• During LUPE’s time:-2003 – LUPE brought to Valley from California-2005 & 2007 - Colonia street lights

Social Services & Community Education

• Immigration Forms– Staff Attorney– Social Service Providers (Immigration Experts)

• Income Tax Service– 2.3 million dollars in refunds including EITC– Over 1000 tax returns– Over 500 ITIN’s

• Translations– Written & Verbal

• Classes– ESL & Citizenship prep– GED classes– 300 new citizens per yr

Issue-based Organizing & Movement Building

National• Immigration Reform

– Working toward passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform

– Opposition to the Border Wall– AgJobs

• Dream Act– In-state tuition + quick path to

citizenship

Local

• Immigration– 287(g)– Raids

• Community– Education– Health– Census Outreach

• Colonia Infrastructure– Streetlights– Streets– Drainage/Sewer lines

• Workers’ Rights– Unpaid wages– Know your rights

trainings

Immigration Reform:Brief background

• Citizenship is difficult to obtain– no “line” and 12 million undocumented

• Families being separated through detention & deportation– Denial of due process, inhumane conditions– Legal residents & US citizens aren’t exempt!

• Erosion of workers and civil rights• Militarization of the border ≠ solutions• Coalition with national & Texas organizations

Housing & Civil Rights Partners

• Proyecto Azteca– self-help housing created by union members– financial literacy

• Texas Civil Rights Project– consumer law project– legal clinic– workers’ rights for undocumented– Lawsuits

– FEMA– Evacuation

Questions?