California:. Larry Itliong, arriving at AWOC meeting in Central Valley, sitting in a car with the door open, smoking a cigar. Early 1960’s. ©1976 George Ballis/Take Stock / The Image Works “The Image Works” ( photo courtesy of
On October 22, the City of Carson and various organizations will join the entire community in honoring the life’s work and legacy of Larry Itliong – a Filipino-American labor leader and organizer.
A tribute march will start at 9 a.m. on October 22 around the vicinity of Veterans Park located at 22400 Moneta Avenue in Carson followed by a labor awards ceremony. This year’s Larry Itliong Labor Awardees are Tony Doroño, co-founder of the Filipino Migrant Center, and the UCLA Labor Center, home of the national immigrant youth movement. Entertainment is led by saxophonist, composer, and arranger, Michael “Cody” Dear from UCLA. The event is free and open to the public.
Larry Itliong was responsible for organizing immigrant farm workers and cannery workers for over 30 years. He helped establish the Alaska Cannery Workers Union in the 1930s and helped get a contract that called for eight-hour days with overtime pay.
In 1965, Larry Itliong led the successful “Great Delano Grape Strike” to protest the low wages and miserable working conditions. In 1966, he led the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee and merged with the National Farm Workers Association led by Cesar Chavez to form the United Farm Workers union.
In 1970, Larry Itliong founded and became the president of the Filipino American Political Association (FAPA), the first national political Filipino American organization and a crucial alliance between Filipino professionals with 30 active chapters throughout the United States.
“The City of Carson is the first city to recognize the contributions of labor union leader Larry Itliong. We are proud to have this annual event and proud to have been instrumental in the movement to get AB 7 passed in Sacramento to have October 25 recognized as Larry Itliong Day throughout California,” said City of Carson Mayor Albert Robles. “On behalf of a grateful City, we give special thanks to Councilmember Elito M. Santarina for his leadership in getting Carson to be the first City in the Country to recognize Larry Itliong Day,” added Robles.
On October 2010, Carson City Council passed a resolution establishing October 25 as Larry Itliong Day in Carson. City officials are encouraging the community to take part in observing this special day by attending the October 22 event honoring the life’s work and legacy of Larry Itliong who promoted and fought for the well-being of all of California’s Farm Workers. On June 30, 2015, Assembly Bill 7 (AB 7) was signed into law by Gov. Brown establishing October 25 as Larry Itliong Day in all of California.
The program presents a talented line-up of performers, including CecileandMighty Show, Sampaguita Youth Dance Troupe, Lorian Fausto, Ciamara Morales, Jamie Bacani, Gee G Starr, Jane Provido, Michelle Delos Reyes, Michael Walker, Zack Pogz Villegas Aquino, Michael Pronda, Maaikee Kiyoe Pronda, Sid Bautista Castañeda, Anna Alano, and Binibining Pilipinas USA Pageant Best in Talent winners Caitlin San Diego and Sheri-Lynne Ducusin. Additionally, Binibining Pilipinas USA Christelle Abello, BPUSA Miss Tourism Czarina Hermoso, and their BPUSA Royal Court will also be appearing for meet and greet and photo ops.