ALBUQUERQUE ― Civil rights and labor leader César Chávez was born March 31, 1927 in Yuma, Ariz. Every year since his untimely death (1993), the Recuerda a César Chávez Committee has commemorated the birth of this humble civil rights leader by marching in his honor and celebrating his life with music, dancing, poetry and fun, culturally enriched activities for children.

 

The event is designed to educate the entire family about César Chávez and the farm worker movement. The Recuerda a César Chávez Committee is made up of organizations and individual volunteers who want to see the César Chávez legacy of peaceful activism continue for generations to come. Its mission is to educate our youth and communities about the legacy, life and work of the great civil rights leader, CésarChávez.

 

 

In the tradition of César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, we will take to the streets of the South Valley and Barelas neighborhood in honor of the farm workers movement. The March for Justice (or “la marcha” de justicia) will step off at 10:40 a.m. from the north parking lot of NHCC moving down 4th Street. Come march alongside Dolores Huerta as the Aztec dancers lead the way. Chants from the Chicano and farm worker movement will echo through the streets as our community volunteers and leaders march. The pace for la marcha will be slow so that everyone can participate. We will complete the 2 mile loop by around noon… returning south from 8th Street where we join the Fiesta at the beautiful Plaza Mayor of the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

 

 

César Chávez believed community connections were best strengthened through personal relationships. That meant sharing a meal, having fun and including the whole family. So it is our mission every year to celebrate the life and legacy of our beloved civil rights leader with a fiesta combining food, music, dancing, information tables and activities for children at our Kid’s Corner. New Mexico native and cofounder of the United Farm Workers Union, Dolores Huerta will once again honor our event as Keynote Speaker. Señora Huerta continues to be a civil rights icon worldwide to this day. Our event is also honored to host accomplished actor, musician, and composer Daniel Valdez. Our event will be honoring ¡Sí Se Puede! awardees and community leaders Dr. Adelamar Alcantara and Michael Casaus. Local acts Baracutanga and La Tropa Felizz will be providing musical entertainment on stage.

 

All 25th Annual César Chávez Day events are free, family-friendly and open to the public.

 

For more information, contact: Pablo Cabrera-RCCC Co-Chair at pvcabrer@unm.edu or Forrest Sweet-RCCC Co-Chair at 505nmdude@gmail.com.