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Los Angeles: Thousands to walk to honor Cesar Chavez on the 81st anniversary of his birth

Saturday, March 29th 10 a.m. at Historic Olvera St.
Thousands to walk to honor Cesar Chavez
on the 81st anniversary of his birth

Thousands of Southern Californians, will gather Saturday, March 29th at historic Olvera Street for the start of the 10th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Walk marking the 81st anniversary of the legendary farm worker and civil rights leader’s birth. The walk also marks the eighth year since the state of California honored Chavez’s birthday as an official state holiday. The goal of the walk is to spread awareness among young people about Chavez’s messages of nonviolence, social justice and service to others.

    Walkers will include UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, Chavez family members and thousands of school-aged children. Following a brief welcome, participants will trek a three-kilometer route through historic Olvera Street and downtown Los Angeles before returning for free music and entertainment.

 “The greatest tribute to Cesar Chavez is the thousands of young people who walk to show their commitment to continuing his legacy," says the UFW’s Rodriguez.

What: 10th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Walk—Sponsored by the UFW Foundation.  This walk highlights the UFW founder’s legacy of nonviolence and respect for farm workers and all working people.

Who: Councilmember Jose Huizar, who is hosting the event will be joined by UFW President Arturo Rodriguez; UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta; Chavez family members; elected officials, school children and thousands of others. The Mexican regional music family “The Riveras” —which includes Pedro Rivera, his sons Juan Rivera and Gustavo Rivera and singer Yolanda Perez “La Potranquita.”—will also join in the walk.

When: Program begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday March 29th, 2008; walk immediately follows; walkers return for festival and entertainment at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Where:  Historic Olvera Street, 125 Paseo de la Plaza (at kiosk on Main St. between Arcadia and Cesar Chavez Ave.) near downtown Los Angeles, CA 90012

Official Sponsors of the event include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Councilmember Jose Huizar, Western Union, Safeway Vons, Southern California Edison, AARP, Univision, La Nueva, KLVE, Recuerdo, KTNQ, Super Estrella, Oye, and KPFK