Community Corner
Sí, Se Puede: The Legacy of Cesar E. Chavez
March 31 has been officially proclaimed by President Obama as Cesar E. Chavez Day. How is the day being commemorated in the Bay Area?
The recurrent theme of the speakers at today's Cesar E. Chavez Holiday Breakfast, held at Mission Language and Vocational School (MLVS) in San Francisco, was a call for perrenial activism and the importance of labor.
Speakers at the event included Emcee Eva Royale of the Cesar Chavez Holiday Committee, Deacon Sal Alvarez of Farmworker Ministry and Mayor Edwin Lee, Isabel Lucero and Senator Art Torres. Among those honored for their various contributions to the labor movement were Mauricio Vela (in memoriam), Rita Alviar, Instituto Laboral de La Raza and UNITE HERE Local 2, a hotel workers union in San Francisco.
Lucero spoke of her experiences "growing up in the farmworker movement" while Senator Torres, the keynote speaker, presented his "Reflections: Working with UFW/AFLCIO, National Legislative Director, 1972."
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The recollections of the many speakers and honorees, who had worked directly with the United Farm Workers’ movement of the 1960s, were charged with emotion about a movement that they had found challenging yet stimulating and life-changing. Senator Torres emphasized the merit of entry-level positions and of learning firsthand how Cesar E. Chavez gave of himself in the service of others.
Yesterday, President Obama declared March 31 "Cesar E. Chavez Day", citing the community organizer’s lifelong advocacy of workers’ rights as integral in the launch of “one of our Nation's most inspiring social movements."
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During that speech, President Obama said, "at the time, farm workers toiled in the shadows of society, vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Families like Chavez’s were impoverished; exposed to hazardous working conditions and dangerous pesticides; and often denied clean drinking water, toilets, and other basic necessities."
Those recognized in today's celebration continue the important work of making the public aware of farm workers' struggles. These community leaders hope to carry on the work that Cesar Chavez started.
The event concluded with a spoken word presentation by local duo, David Blancarte and Francisco Carreño (see the piece they performed in the PDF section of the gallery to the right).
Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the annual Cesar E. Chavez Holiday Parade and Festival.
