Thousands of school kids join families honoring Cesar Chavez’s legacy 7 years after his passing with 2nd L.A. Walk-a-thon

     LOS ANGELES — To increase awareness among young people about Cesar Chavez’s message on social justice, nonviolence and self-sacrifice,  thousands of school children and their families will join the 2nd Annual Cesar E. Chavez Walk-a-thon, this Saturday, April 29 in East Los Angeles.  Also participating will be "walk teams" composed of community, professional and corporate groups sponsoring the event as well as Hollywood celebrities (listed below) and Chavez family members.

     Currently local high schools, such as Belmont and Roosevelt are heavily competing to register the most students for the event and more than 40 college campuses throughout the Southland are also participating.  Prior to the walk-a-thon, many students have participated in a classroom program called “Embrace the Legacy” honoring the legendary farm labor leader.  Approximately 75,000 activity guides have been distributed to hundreds of Southern California classrooms. 

     At least, 5,000 people are expected to assemble at the East Los Angeles College Coliseum to kick off the April 29 walk, which marks the seventh anniversary of Chavez’s death.  Pre-registration has tripled from last year’s walk.  After a brief welcome, walkers will navigate a five kilometer walk through East L.A. neighborhoods before returning for speakers, music, comedy and awards in a picnic –like setting on the grassy field surrounding the stage. There, winners of Cesar Chavez art, essay and poetry competitions will be recognized.

     Supporting the 2nd annual Cesar Chavez Walk a Thon are Presenting Sponsors: Vons, a Safeway Company and Cacique; Platinum Eagle Sponsors: California Teachers Association, KMEX TV and ABC7; Silver Eagle Sponsors: Coca Cola Co., La Opinion, Moneygram, Super Estrella 97.5 FM,  I.A.T.S.E. Western Region & Local 33, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, Nabisco, and Del Monte; and Bronze Eagle Sponsors: Union Bank, the Walt Disney Co. and NBC4.

Who:   Thousands of students and their families, teachers, community, professional and corporate organizations, Hollywood celebrities including the well known comedy group Culture Clash, cast members from the film “Luminarias” including: Evelina Fernandez and Sal Lopez, actor Ed Begley Jr.(“St Elsewhere,” “Seventh Heaven”), actress Constance Marie (“Mi Familia,” “Selena,” “Union Square”), actor Esai Morales (“La Bamba,”  “Mi Familia”), actress Valerie Harper (“Rhoda”, “Mary Tyler Moore”),  director Salvador Carasco (“The Other Conquest”) as well as Chavez family members including Chavez’s son Paul Chavez, brother Richard Chavez, and wife Helen Chavez and Chavez’s successor as UFW president, Arturo Rodriguez.

What:    The 2nd Annual Cesar E. Chavez Walk-a-thon promoting the farm labor leader’s legacy on the seventh anniversary of his death.

When:   Program starts at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, April 29, 2000.