In an attempt to teach people about the importance of Cesar Chavez Day, a student group known as Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan organized the March for Justice last Wednesday in order to bring awareness to the day.

MEChA is a student organization which is politically active in trying to progress civil rights for all students, not just Chicano and Mexican students, said junior Luis Munoz, a political science major and director of University Affairs.

"The March for Justice is designed to bring injustices to light whether it’s to farm workers or college students with financial aid," Munoz said.

The March for Justice took place March 30 beginning and ending in the Student Services Center plaza. About 30 people protested the perceived injustices surrounding the holiday with chants such as "Stop the drinking," while passing by many local downtown businesses.

Chico State students treat Cesar Chavez Day as a party day, said sophomore Carlos Diaz, a social work major and MEChA member.

"When I first came to Chico State, I noticed how students go out and drink being unaware of what this holiday really is about," Diaz said. "I want people to be aware of what Cesar Chavez did by promoting community service, civil liberties and civil rights."

For the Cesar Chavez Day of Service, 60 volunteers came to spread the word to K-12 students in Chico and Hamilton City schools, Munoz said.

"We have prepared a curriculum for each grade where we are teaching students about Cesar Chavez and the farm workers movement, and how it still impacts our lives today," he said.

The organization made a presentation to 51 classes – roughly 1,200 students – on Cesar Chavez Day, he said. Classes about Cesar Chavez were taught by Chico State students, including junior psychology major Sukhvir Kaur who spoke to teacher Kevin Moretti’s class of Chico High School seniors.

"I tutored migrant students in the classroom, and I learned about Cesar Chavez through monthly workshops," Kaur said. "I learned about the impact of what he did, and how he was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi."

Sophomore English major Marissa Alvarado also helped teach Chico High seniors about Cesar Chavez was.

"It is important to give people who don’t have a voice a voice," Alvarado said. "Cesar Chavez accomplished this despite only having an eighth-grade education."

    
Allison Weeks can be reached at    
aweeks@theorion.com