More than 100 people celebrate César Chávez’s legacy in Corpus Christi
Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Irma Woods (center) carries a portrait of Cesar Chavez drawn by her son as she walks along side Mark Robbins (right) and other participants Saturday, March 23, 2013 at the 14th Annual Cesar Chavez March in Corpus Christi. (Photo by Michael Zamora, Corpus Christi Caller-Times )
By Erica Quiroz, Corpus Christi Caller Times
CORPUS CHRISTI —As a young girl, Maria Rodriguez-Casas toted water to migrant workers in fields.
At the end of the growing season, she crammed into a camper with her parents and seven siblings to return home, having missed a full month of school, she said.
On Saturday the Mathis Independent School District superintendent shared her story with more than 100 people who marched in the 14th annual César Chávez Marcha.
“Viva César Chávez,” she shouted at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, earning a standing ovation.
Her message: Remember his sacrifice.
She also shared her own father’s suffering from pesticides as a migrant worker and recalled the hunger strike Chavez used to change the way foods are handled.
“We can’t let his legacy die,” she said. “We have to continue it.”
Among the marchers were students of César Chávez Academy, members of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education and other civil rights organizations. They walked along Agnes Street chanting “Si, se puede!” or “yes, we can,” the motto of the United Farm Workers, a group Chávez started in the 1960s.
At the church marchers were greeted by 2A State Champion Mathis Mariachi Band music.
Rodriguez-Casas called them her children, as her speech focused on the importance of education.
She shared her own difficulties as a Hispanic child in the 1970s.
“I had to repeat the sixth grade because of the language barrier,” Rodriguez-Casas said.
“But the opportunities that Chávez helped create for us, I see those differences in the migrant students in my schools and the education programs that are available to them now.”
The superintendent wasn’t the only one who believed unity is essential, especially passing the equal rights legacy on to the next generation.
The impact of Chavez’s struggles led three generations of Sylvia Garcia’s family to march.
Three-month-old Ivan joined his mother and grandparents in their tradition of celebrating César Chávez.
“Our children need to know what Chávez went through to give us equal rights,” Garcia said.
“Some children don’t know who he is, and it’s up to us to teach them.”
Garcia said her family moved to Orange Grove ten years ago, but they come back to Corpus Christi to march for the man that gave them so much.
“We need to teach our children to be proud of our heritage and the opportunities he gave us,” Garcia said.
By Erica Quiroz, Corpus Christi Caller Times
CORPUS CHRISTI —As a young girl, Maria Rodriguez-Casas toted water to migrant workers in fields.
At the end of the growing season, she crammed into a camper with her parents and seven siblings to return home, having missed a full month of school, she said.
On Saturday the Mathis Independent School District superintendent shared her story with more than 100 people who marched in the 14th annual César Chávez Marcha.
“Viva César Chávez,” she shouted at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, earning a standing ovation.
Her message: Remember his sacrifice.
She also shared her own father’s suffering from pesticides as a migrant worker and recalled the hunger strike Chavez used to change the way foods are handled.
“We can’t let his legacy die,” she said. “We have to continue it.”
Among the marchers were students of César Chávez Academy, members of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education and other civil rights organizations. They walked along Agnes Street chanting “Si, se puede!” or “yes, we can,” the motto of the United Farm Workers, a group Chávez started in the 1960s.
At the church marchers were greeted by 2A State Champion Mathis Mariachi Band music.
Rodriguez-Casas called them her children, as her speech focused on the importance of education.
She shared her own difficulties as a Hispanic child in the 1970s.
“I had to repeat the sixth grade because of the language barrier,” Rodriguez-Casas said.
“But the opportunities that Chávez helped create for us, I see those differences in the migrant students in my schools and the education programs that are available to them now.”
The superintendent wasn’t the only one who believed unity is essential, especially passing the equal rights legacy on to the next generation.
The impact of Chavez’s struggles led three generations of Sylvia Garcia’s family to march.
Three-month-old Ivan joined his mother and grandparents in their tradition of celebrating César Chávez.
“Our children need to know what Chávez went through to give us equal rights,” Garcia said.
“Some children don’t know who he is, and it’s up to us to teach them.”
Garcia said her family moved to Orange Grove ten years ago, but they come back to Corpus Christi to march for the man that gave them so much.
“We need to teach our children to be proud of our heritage and the opportunities he gave us,” Garcia said.