Kelly Meagher speaks to Chico State students about his time working with Cesar Chavez on Tuesday April 1.
Chico State students march downtown in honor of Cesar Chavez Tuesday, April 1.
MEChA remembers Cesar Chavez
By: Jozlynn Rush
The MEChA group at Chico State remembered Cesar Chavez today in the Free Speech Area with a presentation from the first Anglo to work for United Farm Workers.
Sponsored by the A.S. Activity Fee, MEChA presented Kelly Meagher, a former UFW worker and currently a local social and environmental activist, to the students and faculty of Chico State.
Around 40 people gathered in the Free Speech Area this evening to hear Meagher’s experiences working in the fields, his involvement working with Cesar Chavez and his experiences as a field organizer for the UFW, said Jesus Torres, director of University Affairs for MEChA.
"We were so lucky to have Kelly Meagher come and talk to the students and faculty at Chico State because he’s a national hero, right up there with Martin Luther King Jr.," Torres said.
The presentation given by Meagher was in honor of Cesar Chavez and concentrated mostly on Cesar Chavez’s impact on his life. Although the presentation lasted a mere 45 minutes, Meagher’s words inspired those listening.
Sophomore Laura Slack reflected on the American hero.
"Cesar Chavez in general is inspiring because he was a man who felt strongly about what he stood for and was willing to do whatever it took to achieve it," Slack said.
Meagher worked alongside Cesar Chavez for six months with the UFW. Meagher spent much of his time organizing boycotts, many of which failed. Meagher left the UFW after two and half years.
"Working for the union was stressful and dangerous, but at the same time wonderful," Meagher said. "I eventually left because financially I was not satisfied, and I wanted to be able to have the money to go on a date and buy my buddies a pitcher of beer."
Following the presentation by Meagher was a candlelight vigil march in honor and memory of Cesar Chavez. On Monday, MEChA also had volunteers visit local schools to have fun and share educational activities about Cesar Chavez with the students.
"Our main goal was to educate every generation about the struggles of the farm workers and what Cesar Chavez did to better the conditions," Torres said.
MEChA, which stands for Movimiento Estudiantil de Chicano, Chicana de Aztlan is a student-run group that works toward achieving gender and racial equality. It also promotes higher education and works to bring about cultural awareness, Torres said.
Jozlynn Rush can be reached at jrush@theorion.com
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