By Jennie Rodriguez
Record Staff Writer
STOCKTON, Cal. — Elaborate dresses that resembled flowers from a distance drew Elizabeth Chavez to the Dean De Carli Waterfront Square on Sunday.
At the plaza, folkloric dancers swayed their dresses and stomped their feet to traditional Mexican music.
"We saw many colors, and we stopped by," Chavez, 45, said.
Once there, Chavez was reminded of the meaning. The fifth annual Cesar Chavez Memorial Celebration honored the life of the late labor rights leader who is famous for launching farm labor strikes beginning in the 1960s and for co-founding the United Farm Workers along with Stockton-raised Dolores Huerta. Thursday, his birthday, is Cesar Chavez Day.
"It is important to be here in support of that reason," said Chavez, who was accompanied by her husband, Bladimir Rodriguez, and their six children, ages 1 to 10.
Sunday’s event was organized by local residents Valerie Mejia and Frances Hernandez, the owner of Frances Beauty Salon, in an effort to educate the community on Chavez’s historical contributions.
"We don’t want to let his name die out," Mejia said.
Mejia said she had been inspired to start the celebration several years ago as a Cesar Chavez scholarship committee member at San Joaquin Delta College. She saw numerous essays submitted were referring to Julio Cesar Chavez, the former boxer, instead of the activist.
"It really saddened me," Mejia said. "Cesar is our Martin Luther King Jr.
"He marched for the farm workers, but he did it for everyone, because at that time there was so much racism."
Eipidio Polanco, 57, was a restaurant cook during that era, but he remembers hearing from his friends about the working conditions in agriculture, and how Chavez motivated laborers to fight for changes.
"Cesar Chavez was like their protector," said Polanco, who attended the event. "It was difficult for farm workers. They came to this country not knowing anyone. They worked from morning until dark. There was no water in the fields."
Mejia and Hernandez displayed an information board about Chavez, and hosted educational speakers.
Every year, the two gather donations from local businesses to hold the event. This year, its major sponsor was Cavazos Law Firm in Stockton.
San Joaquin County Migrant Education handed out free Spanish-language books. Casa Del Sol provided free face painting. Entertainers, including Danzantes Del Puerto and Discovery Martial Arts, also donated their time.
For Elizabeth Chavez, the celebration was a nice way to spend Sunday afternoon, and to teach her children about Cesar Chavez’s legacy.
"Also, we’re getting to know the community and how you can get involved," she said.
Contact reporter Jennie Rodriguez at (209) 943-8564 or jrodriguez@recordnet.com.
