Saturday & Sunday in Calif., Ariz., Texas & Washington state
Farm workers organize nine events in four states honoring victims of terrorist attacks
Farm workers movement activists in four states will hold Masses, processions and vigils on Saturday and Sunday in solidarity with victims of last Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.
The Cesar Chavez-founded United Farm Workers, the Radio Campesina network of radio stations and other labor, community and religious groups are sponsoring events in five rural California communities (Delano, Coachella, Oxnard, Salinas and Santa Rosa); Phoenix, Ariz.; San Juan, Tx. (the union is also joining observances in San Antonio); and Washington state.
The schedule of events is as follows:
Saturday, Sept. 15, 2001
Salinas, Calif.—7 p.m. Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, corner of Towt & Dewey Ave.; vigil until 12 midnight.
Coachella, Calif.–5-10 p.m. procession, Mass and vigil at Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Church, 52555 Oasis Palm. Ave.
Santa Rosa, Calif.—6:30 p.m.- 6 a.m. vigil & 9 p.m. Mass, UFW office, 1700-D Corby Ave.
Phoenix, Ariz.–5 p.m.-12 midnight Prayer Vigil for Peace, Cesar E. Chavez Plaza, 2nd Ave. & Washington.
San Juan, Tx.–6-9 p.m. procession and vigil from UFW office at Ave. Cesar Chavez & Hwy. 83 to Our Lady of San Juan Basilica, Raul Longoria & Hwy. 83.
San Antonio, Tx.–8 p.m. candlelight vigil at the Alamo.
Pasco, Wa.–7-8 p.m. Mass, 8-10 p.m. group prayer and 10 p.m.-6 a.m. vigil at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1320 W. Henry St.
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001
Delano, Calif.–5 p.m. Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1015 Clinton St.; vigil at church until 12 midnight.
Oxnard, Calif.–2-7 p.m. vigil, UFW office, 920 So. "A" St.
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The following statement was issued Wednesday (Sept. 12) by United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez and National Farm Workers Service Center Inc. President Paul Chavez–Cesar Chavez’s successor and son, respectively–from the farm workers’ Keene, Calif. headquarters near Bakersfield.
We in the farm workers movement join all of America in expressing outrage and shock over the brutal attacks by terrorists on Tuesday, Sept. 11 in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Out of respect for the victims and their families, we have canceled planned events, including 16th of September (Mexican Independence Day) celebrations in California’s Central Valley and Salinas Valley; Phoenix, Ariz.; Washington state; San Antonio, Tx.; and the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. We have also canceled grand opening ceremonies for new United Farm Workers offices in San Antonio and Alamo, Tx.
Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out for the dead and injured, and their families. All of us want those who have perpetrated these dastardly acts–as well as those who have aided in their efforts–to be brought to justice.
Yet this is also a time for our country’s political leaders to exercise wisdom and courage to take the right course of action as America responds to these national tragedies.
Neither our government nor our people can surrender to hysteria directed against Arab- or Muslim Americans or any immigrant group. We cannot blame or indict an entire people because of the senseless acts of a small villainous band.
Finally despite the indignation all of us feel, the movement founded by Cesar Chavez should do no less than heed his counsel to embrace patience and respect for others even in the face of grievous provocation. "We must understand that the highest form of freedom carries with it the greatest measure of discipline," Cesar once said.
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