Chavez, who co-founded the United Farm Workers and strove to improve conditions for agricultural laborers across the country, would have turned 81 on Monday. He died in 1993.

"He represents a man who really cares about the farmers and is dedicated to helping people," said Eli Beornspice, a third-grader at Lafayette Elementary School, as he bundled up against the cold of an early-spring afternoon.

The third annual Seeds of Justice march, which boasted about 175 people led by a dozen Aztec dancers wearing native costumes, proceeded from Pioneer Elementary School to the Lafayette Public Library.

Students wearing matching T-shirts and holding up homemade signs made their way down the sidewalk accompanied by teachers and parents.

The march was sponsored by Project YES, Pioneer Elementary and the city of Lafayette.

Elena Del Carril, a fourth-grader at Pioneer, said Monday’s march was her first.

"Cesar Chavez is kind of like a life-saver to a lot of people," said the 10-year-old. "He made our lives peaceful."

She spent about an hour with her classmates in Pioneer’s auditorium, drawing up signs and snacking on oranges and chips.

The students were also regaled with traditional dances from a troupe of Aztec dancers before hitting the street.

Lafayette Mayor Chris Cameron said the city’s emphasis on being culturally inclusive is in line with the principles Chavez followed in his larger social justice movement.

But she said the idea behind the Seeds of Justice march isn’t just to instill in young people a sense of fairness and service, but to learn from them, as well.

“I think the kids in this community are a real motivator of that themselves,” Cameron said.

Amy McGreevey, a project manager for Project YES, said the march is one of about 20 events going on in March and April in Lafayette to honor Chavez and to address the subjects of racism, social justice and immigration.

“It has a lot to do with celebrating a person who embodies what the community in Lafayette is and what it wants to create,” she said. “And that’s a sense of justice, collaboration and communication.”