Farm Worker Awareness Week and Cesar Chavez’s legacy celebrated in California

Marches, masses, and presentations held at churches and universities were part of many events that commemorated Farm Worker Awareness Week and celebrated Cesar Chavez’s birthday (March 31) and legacy in California.

Approximately 3,000 people attended a mass in honor of Cesar Chavez presided over by Cardinal Roger Mahoney held at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral on March 29, 2009. In attendance were Paul Chavez, son of Cesar E. Chavez, and his family.

The NFWM California staff made presentations at 12 different churches during Farm Worker Awareness week, reflecting on the sacredness of food, our direct connection to farm workers, and why as people of faith were are called to stand in solidarity with our farm worker brothers and sisters.

Farm workers and Cesar Chavez were honored at an event organized by students and California State University – Long Beach. Arturo Rodriguez, President of the United Farm Workers, spoke about the continuing struggle of farm workers for justice in the fields.

Dan Parziale, supporter and former NFWM staff, organized an educational event at the Loyola Marymount University Law School highlighting the struggles of the South Central Farmers and raising farm worker issues in honor of Cesar Chavez’s birthday. Dan encouraged his classmates to think about how their law school education can be used to improved the lives of others who are victims of injustice.

On April 4, about 5,000 people gathered in Los Angeles at Historic Olvera Street to participate in the 11th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Walk and Festival. In attendance were Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the UFW, members of the Black Eyed Peas, Graciela Betran, Maria Elena Durazo of the LA County Federation of Labor, and thousands of students from area schools and universities.