12 noon, Saturday, November 6, 1999
Hundreds rally in L.A. for drive to make Cesar Chavez’s birthday a paid state holiday
Hundreds of Los Angelinos will gather for a noon rally Saturday on Olvera Street to urge passage of a state law making farm labor leader Cesar Chavez’s March 31 birthday a paid state holiday.
Joining United Farm Workers Secretary-Treasurer Dolores Huerta will be student, community, religious and labor activists as well as elected officials and Hollywood celebrities. They will show their support for Senate Bill 984, by state Sen. Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles).
More than 10,000 signatures on petitions backing SB 984 have been gathered by the Los Angeles UFW Community Committee which are the initiators and organizers of the holiday campaign along with Senator Polanco. Petitions will be available at the rally for the crowd to sign.
"Proper state recognition of Cesar Chavez is long overdue," says Polanco. "Honoring him in this way will send an important message that California recognizes and values the leadership, personal sacrifices and commitment to non-violence that defined the life of Cesar Chavez. He is an inspiration and role model for us all."
Who: Hundreds of L.A.-area residents, including UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta, Cesar Chavez’s son Paul Chavez, state Sen. Richard Polonco, Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, L.A. City Councilmember Jackie Goldberg, State Senator Hilda Solis, Los Angeles Federation of Labor Executive Secretary-Treasurer Miguel Contreras, Exec. Sec. Treas. of the CA State Federation of Labor Art Pulaski, actor Ed Begley Jr. and the singer/composer Lalo Guerrero.
What: Rallying in support of making Cesar Chavez’ March 31 birthday a paid state holiday.
When: 12 noon, Saturday, Nov. 6, 1999.
Where: The Kiosk at La Placita Olvera (Cesar Chavez Ave. and Alameda)
For more information, the general public can call 213-381-5611, ext. 17
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