United Farm Workers of America President Arturo Rodriguez said this year’s march is particularly important.

"We are here to celebrate the passing of 18 years since Cesar Chavez passed away and we want to ensure the legacy carries on in the work of improving the farmworkers’ lives," Rodriguez said. He said farmworkers remain among the lowest paid laborers, with no benefits and poor working conditions.

"Many things are not better than when (Chavez) was working. As I came in today, I saw workers in the fields on Sunday. We understand farmers’ schedules, but they should have respect for the people, their lives and what they do."

Parade organizer Denis O’Leary, an Oxnard School District trustee, said he has been organizing the march with Javier Gomez for 15 years. O’Leary said that the parade includes people holding a banner with the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the U.S. flag, the Mexican flag and the Filipino flag.

"The first strikes of grape workers happened in the Philippines," O’Leary said. "Cesar Chavez joined their fight."

Miguel Moran was carrying a large banner for California Mushroom Farm, Ventura Coastal. He said he joined in the march "to remember Cesar Chavez. These are good people who are working for everyone."

Lupe Anguiano was helping to carry the banner for the Association of Mexican-American Educators Oxnard Chapter.

"We are struggling for the right to organize. There are people who are destroying our ability to work. They are destroying the very fiber of what this country is about. You can’t destroy the middle class," Anguiano said.

While many people cheered and waved, some honking their horns, the parishioners at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church were quiet as the group marched by, in contrast with the congregants of Iglesia Cristo Rey Catholic Church on Cooper Road, who came out to cheer and wave. .

In addition to Rodriguez, Assemblyman Das Williams, D-Santa Barbara, and Oxnard City Councilwoman Carmen Ramirez addressed the crowd.

"Some of you know I have spent many years in the community representing the farmworkers – los campesinos. We have so much more to do to get people to achieve equality," Ramirez said before the march.

Carmen Contreras was watching the group from her yard near Colonia Road.

"I’ve lived here five years and every time they march, we come to see what is going on. Cesar Chavez is important to the Mexican people. I feel proud when I see these people out there because there are still people who are spreading the message," Contreras said.