To our members and community,

As we navigate painful and difficult times for our movement, La Unión del Pueblo Entero remains grounded in our commitment to our members and the important changes they are leading for their neighborhoods and families. 

Recently, when we heard the stories of survivors and Cesar Chavez, we moved to quickly provide resources and space for conversations with our staff and membership. We value the courage of survivors to speak out. We believe the truths of the people who were harmed, and we honor how and when they chose to share their truths. As an organization led by women, many who have been in this work for decades or a lifetime, we knew the impact this would have on our community. It was a moment that called on us to move intentionally, listen and learn from each other, and ground ourselves in our values of justice and hope. 

Below are the four approaches we are pursuing to learn and heal alongside our membership. 

• Reconciliation Process: We established a confidential and independent process for individuals harmed by Cesar Chavez to share their stories safely. For those who choose to participate, we are committed to a path of accountability and reparations. You can learn more at lupenet.org/healinglacausa.
• Staff and Member Education:We have conducted a comprehensive review of our internal policies to ensure they continue to reflect best practices. We are strengthening these measures by implementing additional staff trainings on safeguarding and safety. We will also provide ongoing educational resources for our membership to learn and explore important cultural topics such as machismo, patriarchy, gender justice, and safety within our movement spaces.
• Historical Preservation: To ensure our history is not erased, we are working with historians, movement elders and experts, and museums to accurately preserve the stories of the farmworker movement, specifically honoring South Texas leaders whose contributions must be honored and recognized.
• Murals and Art: We are working closely with local artists, social workers, and community leaders to evaluate the art and visuals we have in our offices and that we use to represent our work overall. Our goal is to ensure all visual representations align with our values and reflect el Pueblo entero. You can sign up for our first community session on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the LUPE San Juan office.

This movement has always belonged to the people. If you have been with us for decades,
we need you. If you are just finding your place in this movement, Join us. We need you, too.

We see these approaches as first steps. Learning and healing require intentionality and time, and our commitment is to work alongside community leaders, movement elders, and our membership every step of the way.

Together, we can and we will march forward.