Newsletter: Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta dies at 94
Plus, what we know so far about the man who died at Otay Mesa Detention Center.
Dolores Huerta — a labor leader, civil rights activist and community organizer who co-founded the United Farm Workers — died Wednesday at 96, her family announced.
Throughout her decades-long career, Huerta fought for farmworkers’ rights, helping negotiate historic labor contracts and secure legislation protecting agricultural workers. Her advocacy extended beyond the labor movement to women's rights, immigrant rights, environmental justice and empowering the next generation of community organizers.
In March, civil rights and labor leader Huerta publicly accused fellow United Farm Workers co-founder César Chávez of sexually assaulting her in the 1960s, breaking six decades of silence that she said stemmed from fears that speaking out would harm the farmworker movement.
Last October, I had the opportunity to interview Huerta before she spoke at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at University of San Diego. A portion of that interview is available on Daylight San Diego’s Instagram account.
What resonated most to me was the advice she offered younger generations to become more proactive in improving their communities. She compared the lasting impacts of the Civil Rights Movement and protests against the Vietnam War to the recent No Kings protests’ potential.
“Everybody has to be involved because if not, these people we elect, sometimes they make bad policies and bad laws, so we've really got to be on top of it,” Huerta said. “Every single person can make a difference.”
— Lauren J. Mapp
A Guatemalan man detained at Otay Mesa Detention Center in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement died on Saturday while in a special cell where he was supposed to be monitored.
— Kate Morrissey
Questions after ICE detention death
San Diego County supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Paloma Aguirre called on the federal government Tuesday to cooperate with a county investigation into the death of the man at Otay Mesa Detention Center.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Sen. Padilla’s surprise ICE visit
Sen. Alex Padilla said he observed concerning conditions at the ICE holding facility at the federal building in downtown San Diego during an unannounced oversight visit on Friday morning. During the tour prompted by ramped up immigration arrests under “Operation Safe California” ahead of the midterm elections, Padilla said he observed poor light and a cell rendered unusable due to plumbing problems.
— Lauren J. Mapp
The Islamic Center of San Diego welcomed about 40 visitors for its annual Open Mosque Day on Oct. 11, offering guided tours, educational presentations and opportunities for open dialogue.
— Emma Chen
A guide to 2026 California props
Yes, the much talked-about billionaire tax is on the ballot this November, but it’s just one of 14 statewide propositions. If you’re not a policy wonk who knows the ins and outs of state election, tax or environmental law, don’t worry — you’re not alone, and we’re here to help. If you do want the tl;dr on who is supporting what, here’s a short, last-minute summary.
— Story by Adam Echelman, CalMatters
Deported after winning protection from torture
Juan Antonio Pineda Vaquerano is among more than 300 people that the Trump administration has sent to countries where they have no ties after immigration judges granted them protection from deportation to their home countries because of legitimate fear of persecution or torture — people who fit the international definition of refugees — according to a report from Human Rights First.
— Story by Kate Morrissey, Capital & Main
Weekend Energy: Oct. 29 - Nov. 4
San Diego is gearing up for a weekend full of Halloween celebrations and Día de los Muertos remembrances. With Election Day around the corner, it’s also time to drop off ballots or vote in-person. Vote centers are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Other news
Tuesday is Election Day around the corner, so it’s time to drop off ballots or vote in-person. Vote centers are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Department of Justice asked the San Diego Registrar of Voters to share the personal information for nearly 1,700 voters in the county and set aside their ballots while it verifies their citizenship, inewsource reported.
The family of the man who died at Otay Mesa Detention Center told KPBS he had no known health issues before ICE detained him earlier this month.
San Diego Pride executive director is resigning in November after only nine months on the job, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. KishaLynn Elliott’s departure makes her the seventh leader to leave the organization since 2023 and comes amid financial troubles within the organization. The organization said it plans to lay off some employees and reduce others’ hours to part-time.
San Diego City Council unanimously passed a temporary moratorium on data center permitting and development within the city, NBC 7 reported. The decision followed public outcry after a developer floated the idea of building one on federal land near Old Town. But even if a ban on data centers becomes permanent, the council’s decision would have little impact on projects slated for land owned by the federal government, Voice of San Diego reported.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved new purchasing procedures Tuesday aimed at reducing costs and creating more contracting opportunities for small and local businesses. The changes will streamline the contracting process and expand outreach to local vendors, particularly those supplying maintenance, repair and operations materials and medical and laboratory equipment.
Upcoming Events
For more details and the full list of upcoming events, sign up for our new Weekend Energy newsletter that comes out on Wednesdays.
Oct. 30
North County Abolish ICE Protest & March: Colectiva del Pueblo and community organizations are leading a march in Oceanside opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and showing solidarity with immigrant communities.
⏰ 6 - 8 p.m. (march begins at 6:30 p.m.)
🌎 Mission Avenue and San Diego Street, Oceanside, CA 92057
Conversation with Artist Betsabeé Romero: The San Diego Museum of Art is hosting a conversation between Mexican artist Betsabeé Romero and museum CEO Roxana Velásquez as part of its Día de los Muertos celebration.
⏰ 6 p.m.
🌎 Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art, Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theater, 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️ Reserve tickets online starting at $15 for students and members
Rocky Horror Picture Show: Crazed Imaginations hosts a screening and shadowcast performance of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas on the second, fourth and fifth Fridays of each month, and every Friday in October. The second Friday performance is lingerie night, and fifth Friday shows have a special mashup theme.
⏰ 10:30 p.m.
🌎 La Paloma Theatre, 471 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
🎟️ Tickets can be reserved online and prop bags can be purchased at the theater for $5
Oct. 31
2026 USA Pickleball National Championships: The USA Pickleball National Championships are returning to San Diego for nine days of competition featuring junior, collegiate, amateur, wheelchair and professional players.
🗓️ Tournament runs Oct. 31 - Nov. 8
⏰ Match times vary
🌎 Barnes Tennis Center, 4490 W. Point Loma Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107
🎟️ Free general admission with upgrades available; reserve tickets online
Spooky Compost & Mulch Giveaway: I Love A Clean San Diego and the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department are hosting a free Halloween-themed compost and mulch giveaway for city residents.
⏰ 8 a.m. - noon
🌎 Los Peñasquitos Ranch House, 12122 Canyonside Park Drive, San Diego, CA 92129
🎟️ Free, registration online is encouraged
Feeding San Diego Halloween Open House: Feeding San Diego is inviting the community to celebrate Halloween while learning about its work to fight hunger.
⏰ 9 - 11 a.m.
🌎 Feeding San Diego Volunteer Center, 9477 Waples St., Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92121
Nov. 1
Día de Muertos in Barrio Logan: All for Logan and community organizations are hosting a free Día de Muertos celebration honoring ancestors, loved ones and the cultural traditions of Barrio Logan.
⏰ Noon - 7 p.m.
🌎 Logan Avenue Cultural Corridor, Barrio Logan, San Diego, CA 92113
🎟️ Free
Remember Me II: Libélula Books & Co. is hosting a Día de los Muertos celebration in Barrio Logan featuring a vigil honoring people who have died because of immigration enforcement in 2026. The gathering offers a space for remembrance and community solidarity.
⏰ Noon - 6 p.m.
🌎 Libélula Books & Co., 950 S. 26th St., San Diego, CA 92113
Pumpkin Smash: The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation and I Love A Clean San Diego are hosting a free, family-friendly event where attendees can smash their leftover Halloween pumpkins to help reduce landfill waste.
⏰ 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
🌎 Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine St., Lakeside, CA 92040
🎟️ Free, registration encouraged
Occupy Otay Demonstration: Demonstrators gather every Sunday for a vigil on the sidewalk outside Otay Mesa Detention Center to protest the Trump administration's increase in arrests and detentions related to immigration enforcement.
⏰ 1:30 - 4 p.m.
🌎 Otay Mesa Detention Center, 7488 Calzada de la Fuente, San Diego, CA 92154
