Cesar Chavez Day Vigils Held to Support Migrant Rights Across Santa Barbara County

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Instead of holding a demonstration or rally on Cesar Chavez Day, activists organized a candlelight vigil Monday to honor the late labor leader's birthday at city halls, parks and plazas across the region.

In Santa Barbara, community members gathered in De La Guerra Plaza, while others lined Peace Corner in Carpinteria.

Organizers said the goal was to push back against executive actions they say are harming migrant communities.

Leaders at Casa de la Raza in Santa Barbara called it “a night to uplift voices.”

“So today, being Cesar Chavez Day, is a day we remember people as humans — and there are so many impacts to our community,” said Jacqueline Inda. “We decided to make this a vigil because we wanted to bring humanity back into the subject. All our communities, especially protected classes, are facing many challenges together.”

Flyers promoting the vigil said some participants would be remembering people who died by suicide after being separated from their families. Attendees were asked to bring candles, teddy bears for children in crisis, and groceries for families in need. Some donations were dropped off earlier at Casa de la Raza.

One speaker received applause after saying, “MAGA stands for ‘Migrants Aren’t Going Anywhere.’”

Many families, organizers said, are living in fear — afraid to leave their homes or send their children to school.

Ofelia Jarabo Perez, a student at Santa Barbara High School, said she has noticed fewer classmates attending school. One of her friends, she added, is now staying in a safe place with relatives.

Cesar Chavez, who grew up in Oxnard, marched with Dolores Huerta and other activists in the 1960s to fight for farmworker unions and migrant rights. Their first grape boycott began in 1965.

Decades later, activists say the fight for the human rights of marginalized workers continues.

Inda emphasized the importance of building inclusive spaces.

“It should be everybody coming together — we need our allies now more than ever,” she said. “Whether it’s about education equity, the LGBTQ+ community, disability rights — these human issues affect the majority of our population. We need all of our allies. That’s the only way we’re going to protect our communities in Santa Barbara County.”

Vigil organizers also invited the public to attend a “Hands Off” demonstration in De La Guerra Plaza on Saturday afternoon.