CÉSAR CHAVEZ HONORED AT MARCH AND RALLY MARCH 30

March 21, 2003

CÉSAR CHAVEZ HONORED AT MARCH AND RALLY MARCH 29

The University of New Mexico Chicano Studies Program, in conjunction with the Recuerda a César Chavez, co-sponsor the March and Rally for Peace in Honor of César Chavez on Saturday, March 29.

Participants will gather at the Plumbers' and Steam Fitters' Union Hall on San Pedro and Zuni SE at 9 a.m. A march will commence at 10 a.m. and will end at the César Chavez Community Center located at 7505 Kathryn Ave. SE.

The march commemorates Chavez's - and the grape workers - march from Delano to Sacramento, Calif. The march galvanized La Huelga [the strike] and inspired worldwide support for the grape boycott.

"The Chicano Studies Program has been a co-sponsor of the event for seven years. We support the event to honor a great Chicano, Mexicano leader and hero. This is one of many of our cultural and community outreach programs and events that is in keeping with our program's manifest mission," said Lucille Cordova, administrative assistant at Chicano Studies and event committee chair.

Organizers have invited county commissioners, city counselors and Governor Bill Richardson, but have not received confirmation to date. "We have planned an afternoon of speakers, music, dance and poetry," said Cordova.

A car show will also take place at the community center. "Car shows go hand in hand with Chicano cultural events. The car show has become something of a tradition at César's event here in Albuquerque. We welcome folks from all interests and walks of life," said Cordova.

"This great labor leader and human rights figure should be commemorated in this way, giving workers, our children, and our communities an opportunity to remember the contributions and sacrifices he made for his people and the role of non-violence in bringing social justice to the fields and to the labor-intensive institutions of the country," she said.

For more information, call Cordova at 277-6414.

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