Civil rights pioneer Dolores Huerta explained that billionaire-funded silicon valley based “Students Matter” had unlawfully used her image on their website and had taken her statements out of context to inaccurately suggest she supported the goals of their organization. Ms. Huerta explained her position (shown with CTA President Eric Heins and CFT President Josh Pechthalt) in an official press release at the Los Angeles Courthouse press conference preceding the court appeal of the case Vergara vs CTA where she was standing in support of unionized teachers in their appeal of the trial court ruling:
“I strongly believe in providing all children with equal access to a quality public education, and that starts with having educators who have the professional rights to stand up and speak out for the students in their classrooms. Students Matter is attempting to deceive the courts and public opinion in the same way they attempted to deceive me and it’s time to tell the truth.”
Huerta’s cease-and-desist letter demanded that Samuel Garrett-Pate, an account associate, “cease the use of my name and image on your website, studentsmatter.org and all collateral digital platforms and materials.”