Reposted from the LAunionafl-cio.org
As UFW Founder Cesar Chavez’ March 31st birthday approaches—an official holiday in eight states and dozens of cities and communities throughout the nation—we want to ask for your support in making Cesar’s March 31st birthday a national holiday.
Sen. Robert F. Kennedy called Cesar, ‘one of the heroic figures of our time.’ He led the historic non-violent movement for farm worker rights and dedicated himself to building a movement of poor working people that extended beyond the fields and into cities and towns across the nation. He inspired farm workers and millions of people who never worked on a farm to commit themselves to social, economic and civil rights activism. Cesar’s legacy continues to educate, inspire and empower people from all walks of life.
‘Chavez left a legacy as an educator, environmentalist, and a civil rights leader. And his cause lives on. As farm workers and laborers across America continue to struggle for fair treatment and fair wages, we find strength in what Cesar Chavez accomplished so many years ago. And we should honor him for what he’s taught us about making America a stronger, more just, and more prosperous nation. That’s why I support the call to make Cesar Chavez’s birthday a national holiday. It’s time to recognize the contributions of this American icon.’–Barack Obama
‘I have been a farm worker since I was 8 years old. Even now, working in the fields is hard work, but before Cesar it was so much harder. Cesar made such a difference to the farm workers out in the fields. He unified us all, not just Mexicans, but Filipinos, Black, White and all other races. He gave us the courage to fight for our rights. He made many huge changes for the people who work in the fields. He got us breaks, bathrooms, unemployment insurance, the ALRB and so much more. He also got rid of many dangerous pesticides and he not only worried about farm workers but for all people so that their food would be safe. Cesar deserves a holiday and so much more.’
–Josephina Flores
‘He evoked a spirit and a challenge to all of us to do what was right for its own sake…A national holiday honoring Cesar Chavez would secure his profound legacy.’
–Martin Sheen
The Cesar Chávez National Holiday Coalition is gathering signatures asking Congress to designate March 31–Cesar’s birthday–as Cesar Chávez Day. The United Farm Workers and the Cesar E. Chávez Foundation are proud to support the grassroots efforts of the Cesar E. Chávez National Holiday Coalition.
Please help us ensure all Americans learn about Cesar’s life and work by signing the petition asking Congress to designate March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day.
Sign the petition today!
http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/chavezholiday09
Want to go to a Cesar Chavez March or event? VISIT OUR NATIONAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The event you’re attending isn’t listed? Please send us the information at ufwofamer@aol.com.
Please tell people to sign the Chavez Holiday petition at any Chavez event you attend.
Click to download the petition.
Get your Chavez event photos/videos on www.ufw.org/cesarchavez. Send a link to your online photo album/video hosting site to ufwofamer@aol.com.
Visit the UFW’s Online Cesar Chavez Resource Page!
go to to: English: www.ufw.org/cesarchavez or Spanish: www.ufw.org/s/cesarchavez
Donate your Facebook and/or MySpace status on March 31.
Cut & paste the following message into your status bar:
‘is celebrating Cesar Chavez’ birthday today, March 31. Make it a national holiday. Sign the petition here: http://tinyurl.com/chavez09′.
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