“Coachella Valley is more than a music festival” activist organization speaks out during Coachella

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - United Youth We Stand, a local activist organization, is speaking out in support of the valley's immigrant communities amidst the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. 

“Coachella is one of the biggest international festivals, but I think it's important to showcase what really is Coachella. It is a land of a lot of farmworkers and, you know, immigrants most of all,” says Oriana Perez, a demonstrator with the group. 

They gathered on the corner of Monroe and Highway 111, holding signs saying “Coachella Valley made by Immigrants” and “Don’t bite the hands that feed you.” Perez says immigrants make significant contributions to the Coachella Valley, by working in the agriculture, restaurant, landscaping, construction industry and more. 

“They came to the states to get a better future,” says Marlene Aguilar about immigrant parents. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, 44% of all Californian children have one immigrant parent. United Youth We Stand is made up of local young adults. 

One demonstrator, named Herlyn, says her parents are her heroes. “They are the people that I look up to. They have given me everything. So why can't I be a part of the change and also give them something better?,” she says. 

The Coachella Valley Music Festival and Stagecoach brought 250,000 people to the valley in 2024 according to attendance data provided to News Channel 3 by the city of Indio. Organizers with United Youth We Stand say visitors can help local immigrant communities by supporting local businesses when they visit.