New mural honoring the 32 Bracero workers who died in bus crash in Chualar

CHUALAR, Calif. (KION) - In Chualar, a new mural honoring braceros was unveiled Friday evening.

It was created in honor of the 32 braceros killed in 1963. 5 million braceros from Mexico worked in the agricultural industry.

On September 17, 1963, 32 braceros died when a farm bus and a train collided in Chualar. 

After several weeks working on the mural, this Friday, seaside muralist Hanif Panni unveiled his masterpiece, titling this painting “legacy of the braceros mural.”

“It is an important event because thanks to their lives, to the sacrifice of all these braceros, specifically those who died and were injured there, the bracero program ended months later.

José Manches' uncle was also involved in the accident, but fortunately survived, leaving a legacy for future generations.

This will be the first time in about 60 years that braceros are remembered in the town of Chualar, where the collision happened.