Reminder: Celebrate 16th Annual César Chavez Day Saturday in Albuquerque

From RCCC: The Recuerda a César Chávez Committee (RCCC) is marking the 16th annual César E. Chávez Day celebration with a morning of service, a march and a fiesta on Saturday, March 28, 2009.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Luchando, Educando, Celebrando: Recuerda a César Chávez”.

The all-volunteer RCCC planned the event to mark the anniversary of the birth of a unique and humble leader who influenced and inspired millions of Americans to seek social justice and civil rights for the poor and disenfranchised in our society. A true American hero, César was a civil rights, Latino, farmworker, and labor leader; a religious and spiritual figure; a community servant and social entrepreneur; a crusader for nonviolent social change; and an environmentalist and consumer advocate.

With the election of Barack Obama, who began his career as a community organizer, it is important to recognize and celebrate the role that César played in President Obama’s historic victory. During the presidential campaign, Obama ran a highly effective voter outreach model developed by former United Farm Workers (UFW) Organizing Director Marshall Ganz. He also adopted the campaign theme, ‘Yes We Can,’ embracing the rallying cry popularized by César and the UFW in the 1970s: ‘Si, Se Puede.’

WHAT: The day will begin with a morning of service at the Sanchez Farm, with seed planting and a planting ceremony. We will then march to the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC), where there will be a fiesta with free live music, food, speakers and cultural performances. The 4rd Annual “Si Se Puede” awards will be presented.

WHERE: Sanchez Farm (Arenal & Lopez SW); NHCC (4th St. and Avenida César Chávez)

WHEN: Saturday, March 28, 2009. 9AM-11AM at Sanchez Farm. 11AM-NOON March from Sanchez Farm to NHCC. NOON-3PM Fiesta at NHCC

WHO: Free concert by Latino music stars, CAVA, Cultura Fuerte, Con Razon, Los Trinos, and Ballet Folklórico del Sol. Keynote speakers include State Senator Eric Griego and State Representative Eleanor Chavez. Co-Sponsored by the Recuerda a Cesar Chavez Committee, City of Albuquerque, County of Bernalillo, National Hispanic Cultural Center, and New Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.