ALBUQUERQUE – “This year’s march to commemorate César Chávez will be the biggest ever,” said Coralee Holguin Anderson, the coordinator for the 2002 César Chávez march in Albuquerque, to be held March 30.
“Our mission is to reach youth as to who Chávez was and what he stood for,” she continued.
A special feature of this year’s celebration will be to call the public’s attention to New Mexico state constitutional amendment seven – “To Declare a Legal Holiday for César Chávez’ Birthday.” The amendment is to be voted on in the next general election, Nov. 5, 2002.
Special efforts have been made to popularize this event amongst the city’s high school students and to obtain greater support from the University of New Mexico Mecha club and the University Young Democrats.
Leading off the march will be Daniel Rivera, executive secretary of the N.M. Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO). At the head of the procession will also be Ehatle Dancers of Mexico, followed by contingents representing various community and labor groups such as N.M. Central Labor Council, SWOP, ABQ Anti-Sweatshop Coalition, Mecha and other student groups.
Chávez is best remembered in New Mexico for his efforts to have the short handled hoe outlawed in the fields of California and New Mexico. His tactic of massive non-violent resistance to anti-labor legislations and practices by large farm growers, greatly influenced the struggles of labor and people in this state.
The author can be reached at pww@pww.org
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