Synopsis: In a conversation that spans decades of activism, Ellen Gavin and Dolores Huerta join Laura Flanders to discuss the role of narratives in breaking down silos and fears, highlighting the impact of storytelling on building movements and inspiring courage in the face of adversity.

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Description: People are taking to the streets and calling out fascism in bold, unique ways, but we’re not all there yet. If you need some encouragement, watch "The People, United" — a gripping short film about everyday Americans standing up to ICE and winning through nonviolent resistance. Created by Ellen Gavin and presented in collaboration with the Dolores Huerta Foundation and People for the American Way, the video is a powerful example of storytelling as an organizing tool. In this episode, lifelong activists and old friends Ellen Gavin and Dolores Huerta join Laura Flanders to explore how narratives help break through our silos and fears under this second Trump administration. Gavin's works as a writer, director, producer have brought millions of views to social justice storytelling; she is also founder of Gavin Creative Collab and founding artistic director of Brava! for Women in the Arts. Huerta is co-founder of the United Farm Workers alongside César Chávez and founder and president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation. Still organizing at 95 years old, she is recognized as one of the most influential labor organizers of the twentieth century and coined the iconic rallying cry “Si Se Puede.” She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. Find out how narratives shatter fear and build movements, plus a commentary from Laura.

“. . . We want people to be on our team. We want people to be touched in a way that says, ‘I want to be that neighbor. I want to be that helper. I want to be that person who sees something and does something instead of reacts with fear.’ When they say that fear is contagious, and then they say, courage is contagious.” - Ellen Gavin

“. . . In the farm, we didn't respond with violence . . . César [Chávez] fasted for 25 days and then 36 days . . . The other side, they want us to respond with violence, and we can respond with non-violence because they would like to have martial law for the whole country. So we've really got to have a lot of discipline now.” - Dolores Huerta

Guests:

• Ellen Gavin: Writer, Director, Producer: The People, United; Founder, Gavin Creative Collab

• Dolores Huerta: Co-founder of the United Farm Workers; Founder & President, The Dolores Huerta Foundation

Full Conversation Release: While our weekly shows are edited to time for broadcast on Public TV and community radio, we offer to our members and podcast subscribers the full uncut conversation. These audio exclusives are made possible thanks to our member supporters.

Watch the special report on YouTube; PBS World Channel October 19th, and on over 300 public stations across the country (check your listings, or search here via zipcode). Listen: Episode airing on community radio October 22nd (check here to see if your station is airing the show) & available as a podcast.

RESOURCES:

Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:

• Farm Workers to Farm Owners- Watch / Listen: Episode

• These Films Keep People Out of Prison- Watch / Listen: Episode

• Jacqueline Woodson & Catherine Gund: Breathing Through Chaos & the “Meanwhile”- Watch / Listen: Episode and Full Uncut Conversation

• Mamdani, Black Farmers, USDA & ICE: The Stories BIPOC Journalists Uncover- Watch / Listen: Episode and Full Uncut Conversation

Related Articles and Resources:

• California City Residents Denounce Plan to Build State’s Largest Immigrant Detention Center, by ACoM, August 4, 2025, American Community Media

• Dolores Huerta Leads Protest Against California’s Largest Planned ICE Detention Center, by Steve Virgen, CA Neighborhood Reporter, July 30, 2025, 23ABC News KERO

• Forbes Power Women’s Summit 2025: Building What’s Next, September 25, 2025, Forbes

• About el Teatro Campesino’s Luis Valdez, Founding Artistic Director

Full Episode Notes are located HERE.

Music Credit: 'Thrum of Soil' by Bluedot Sessions, and original sound design by Jeannie Hopper

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