César Chávez: Area events to honor late labor leader
So far, events have included a Little Joe y La Familia reunion concert and the Sembrador del Bien Awards to outstanding individuals who contributed to the lives of others.
Coming up in the next few weeks will be a Mass at St. Pius X Catholic Church, an exhibition and auction of Chávez memorabilia, a commemorative march, literary readings, an altar and a vigil.
The festivities also feature the "Sembra-Salud" competitive 5K run and fun walk March 29 at Ascarate Park.
"There is not another city that has such an extensive celebration of the life of César Chávez," said Chacón, a former El Paso County judge. "I first met César when he used to meet with (lawyer) George McAlmon at his law office in El Paso. I used to host the fundraisers for him in my home in the Lower Valley.
"You could not meet a more humble and spiritual man than César Chávez. Through him, we recognize our local farmworkers, and the fact that we are a migrant community founded on immigration."
Limón, a retired educator and founding principal of César Chávez Academy, said the events to commemorate the co-founder of the United Farm Workers "are helping to keep alive the principles that his life inspired.
She also shared an anecdote about Chávez.
"What impressed me was his humility," Limón said. "When he once visited El Paso, I wanted him to autograph something for me, and all I could find was the "C" volume from my encyclopedia set. I found a small passage about him in the book.
"When I showed it to him, he looked at it and beamed and told the others who were with him, ‘Look, we’re even in the encyclopedia.’ "
Chávez, a military veteran who was born in Arizona, dedicated his life to helping improve the working conditions of farmworkers. His organization is best known for the Delano grape boycott of the 1960s. He also advocated protecting the environment.
Like the late civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Chávez was inspired by India’s Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of peaceful civil disobedience to bring about social change.
Supporters said Chávez made powerful enemies and allegedly survived several attempts on his life. He died in 1993 of natural causes at the age of 66.
The Centro de Trabajadores Agricolas in South El Paso (Border Farm Workers Center) is a key part of the tribute events.
Carlos Marentes, the center’s director, said the struggle that Chávez was involved in "is not over because farmworkers still fight for justice."
He said the two most pressing issues for farmworkers today are improving wages and providing legal work documents for willing laborers.
According to the center, between 12,000 and 14,000 people work in farm fields in West Texas and Southern New Mexico, harvesting vegetables such as onion, lettuce and chiles. An average farmworker spends 16 hours, including the time spent on waiting and transportation to fields, to make $30.
"Automation and technology have worsened wages for farmworkers," Marentes said. "Due to globalization, our grocery stores import fruits and vegetables from other others. Before, we might have one major company to target with boycotts and other campaigns, now the matter has become more complex. This makes it more difficult to target companies that exploit farmworkers."
Diana Washington Valdez may be reached at dvaldez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6140.