for new Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. in San Antonio
Cesar Chavez Foundation President Paul F. Chavez, middle son of the farm labor and civil rights leader, and United Farm Workers President Arturo S. Rodriguez issued the following joint statement from the farm worker movement headquarters in Keene, Calif. following the San Antonio City Council’s enactment of an ordinance changing Durango Blvd. to Cesar E. Chavez Blvd., stretching from the Eastside to the Westside of San Antonio across two international freeways, IH 37 and IH 35.
Cesar Chavez knew he could always turn to many friends in San Antonio whenever the farm workers needed help through countless strikes, boycotts and political campaigns over the decades. That is why the City Council’s action is so meaningful for San Antonio residents as well as all of us in the farm worker movement. We are deeply grateful to Jaime Martinez, who led the effort for years, and District 4 Councilmember Phil Cortez, who sponsored and pushed through the ordinance.
While we are moved by this honor, let us not forget that Cesar Chavez was uncomfortable with personal recognition because he knew countless others also made great sacrifices and tremendous contributions. Adoption of the council ordinance symbolizes the grass roots activism without which the farm workers could never have succeeded. Therefore, although it will be known as Cesar E. Chavez Blvd., the Chavez family and the farm worker movement acknowledge that this renaming also honors the selfless achievements of so many others.
It is also a reminder that so much more work remains undone to realize America’s promise of compassion and fairness, including enactment of the UFW’s AgJobs bill, comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act.