Arturo “Tootie” Alvarez

At sunrise on Tuesday, July 12, Ana Guajardo began peddling north on her bicycle from Monterrey, Mexico, destined for Chicago. It’s a 19-day journey that requires Ana to endure intense heat, incredible exhaustion, and long stretches of loneliness.

Workers at Authentico Foods, which produces tortilla chips and tostadas under the El Ranchero brand and tamales and masa under the La Guadalupana brand, began organizing in March after hearing about the efforts of the workers at El Milagro. 

On Monday, the workers at El Milagro announced several campaign victories, including wage increases totaling approximately $1.3 million, anti-sexual harassment training for managers, and air conditioning in the lunchrooms. But not all of the workers’ demands have been met, and the company disputes their claims.

Most Mexicans in Chicago get their masa from El Milagro. But now that workers at the company are in a dispute with management, this December presents a moral dilemma concerning the tradition of making tamales for Christmas.

On Tuesday, El Milagro workers gathered outside one of the tortillería’s Chicago locations for a Día de los Muertos vigil in honor of five coworkers who died from COVID-19.

Jasiel Lopez is an organizer with Centro De Trabajadores Unidos, a grassroots movement and worker center based in Chicago’s south and southwest suburbs

Ron Herrera is a man of many titles.

As a poet and organizer, Jonathan Mendoza embodies the tandem challenge of creating art and revolution.

In this latest episode of Rise Up Foo, Manuel explores why relationship building is essential to movements, the difference between an organizer and an activist, and the definition of a leader.

Arelia asks herself, “Am I a bad feminist?” after years of engaging with difficult conversations and pushing her male colleagues on issues of sexism.

I want Latino organizers to have the space to talk and share their knowledge.

This is where we are.

What does it mean that over 80% of labor unions in the U.S. are led exclusively by white people?

It’s difficult to unlearn silence.

I’ve written in the past that essential workers are not heroes simply because we are treated like we are expendable. But heroes are real. I know a hero. She gave me a much-needed reality check. Her name is Celeste Castillo.

Before their night bus departed, the three brothers ate rice with grilled pork chops unsure of when they would eat their favorite meal again.

My parents are more worried about me. They have a point. It is often impossible to social distance inside high-risk environments like restaurants and grocery stores.