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2008 Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice set for March 29 San Antonians are invited to several events commemorating the legacy of civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez including the 12th Annual Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice on Saturday, March 29. The March for Justice begins with an assembly and program at 11:00 a.m. at Avenida Guadalupe, 1321 El Paso. The program will also include a community health fair. The grand marshal of this year’s march is Frederico Chavez, Chavez’s nephew. At 1:00 p.m., participants will begin a two-mile trek down Guadalupe, Frio, and Commerce Streets before reaching Alamo Plaza for the march’s program. More than 15,000 people participated in the march and program last year. A number of events, coordinated by the Cesar E. Chavez Legacy and Educational Foundation, are scheduled throughout March. There also are family programs and art activities at several area libraries celebrating the life of Chavez. For more details on these and other Chavez events, see www.sachavezfoundation.org. After growing up as part of a family of migrant farm workers, Chavez began coordinating voter registration drives and conducting campaigns against racial and economic discrimination. In 1962, he founded the National Farm Workers Association (later known as the United Farm Workers of America) that for more than three decades helped farm workers to achieve fair wages, medical coverage, pension benefits, humane living conditions in addition to dignity and respect. He was a unique and humble leader, in addition to being a great humanitarian and communicator who influenced and inspired millions of Americans to seek social justice and civil rights for the poor and disenfranchised in our society. Chavez forged a diverse and extraordinary national coalition of students, middle-class consumers, trade unionists, religious groups, and minorities. His motto in life -- "sí se puede" (it can be done) -- embodies the uncommon and invaluable legacy he left for the world's benefit.
For more information on this year’s
Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice, call 722-7846.
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