Sí, se puede': New Mexico remembers Dolores Huerta - KOB 4

Honoring Dolores Huerta in Old Town

“Devastated, hurt. Even though she had a long life, right, and perhaps not unexpected at this point in her life, there’s a sense of loss,” Speaker of the House Javier Martinez (D-NM) said, capturing the immediate grief felt across New Mexico following the passing of civil rights icon Dolores Huerta at age 96, kob.com reported.

Hours after her family announced her death on Wednesday, community members and state leaders gathered in Old Town to establish a public ofrenda next to the gazebo at Old Town Plaza. The memorial features photographs, candles, flowers, heartfelt messages, bread provided by a local panaderia, and seeds intended to accompany her on her journey.

A Legacy Rooted in New Mexico

Huerta coined the iconic phrase “Sí, se puede”—meaning “Yes we can”—in 1972, sparking a rallying cry that resonated through movements nationwide. Following her passing, the phrase carries a heavier resonance for those who worked alongside her, serving as a promise to sustain her lifelong advocacy for equality and worker rights.

Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Speaker Martinez, and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller helped assemble the ofrenda. Leaders emphasized her deep connection to the state throughout decades of organizing.

“She would always come home to her home in New Mexico, and so she was one of us, and she was proud to be from New Mexico,” Mayor Keller said. “It’s, of course, her legacy that is the most important thing, a legacy that she leaves with us, that is one of strength. It is also one of compassion. It’s one of power. It’s speaking truth to power, and it’s remembering that we’re truly measured by what we do for the folks who need it the most.”

The timing of the memorial aligns with the observance of Día de los Muertos. Traditionally, October 28 marks the lighting of candles and the placement of white flowers for souls who passed away suddenly, providing a dual purpose of commemoration and spiritual support.

Speaking Truth to Power Until the End

Beyond her foundational decades co-founding the United Farm Workers, Huerta remained publicly active into her final months. In March, she came forward with sexual abuse allegations against her organizing partner, César Chávez, breaking 60 years of silence despite concerns about how the disclosure might impact the broader farm worker movement.

Sí, se puede': New Mexico remembers Dolores Huerta - KOB 4

“It was a moment to stand with survivors and to tell her own story of survival, not to cast a stain on the movement, but just to be honest about her own lived experience and what it means to be a woman in spaces where women have not been safe,” Stansbury said.

Those who knew her described a leader who maintained deep humility despite her global stature, avoiding bodyguards and maintaining direct accessibility to the communities she championed. The community is invited to continue adding to the Old Town Plaza ofrenda over the coming week as New Mexico remembers her enduring impact.