Thousands walk in L.A. to honor Cesar Chavez & 40th nniversary of the union he founded
© Jocelyn Sherman
Thousands of people from across Southern California joined the 4th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Walk in East Los Angeles on Saturday, April 6–marking the ninth anniversary of the legendary farm worker and civil rights leader’s death and the 40th anniversary of the United Farm Workers.
Walkers who assembled Saturday at East Los Angeles College Stadium for the walk included Chavez’s widow, Helen, other Chavez family members and UFW President Arturo Rodriguez. Also participating were Hollywood figures including Martin Sheen ("West Wing"); Jackie Guerra, Pete Leal, Austin Marquez, Edward James Olmos ("American Family"); Esai Morales ("NYPD Blue", "American Family"); Mike Farrell ("Providence" "M*A*S*H"); Ed Begley, Jr. ("Wednesday 9:30/8:30 Central" & "Six Feet Under"); Marisol Nichols ("Resurrection Blvd."); Richard Coca, Evelina Fernandez, Mike Gomez, Sal Lopez, Dyana Ortelli, Jose Luis Valuenzuela ("Luminarias"); and Michele Greene ("L.A. Law" reunion special & the independent film "A Family Affair"). Many elected officials also joined the walk, including U.S. Rep. Holda Solis, state Sen. Richard Alarcon, Sen. Gloria Romero, Sen. Nell Soto, Speaker of the Assembly Herb Wesson, Assemblymembers Marco Firebaugh, Judy Chu and Paul Koretz, and Board of Equalization member John Chang.
Walkers included members of the labor and religious communities, students from grade school through college, parents and their children, and community leaders and activists.
After a brief welcome by emcees Sid Garcia (ABC7) and Nancy Agosto (KMEX-TV), participants traveled a five-kilometer route through the neighborhood before returning for free music and entertainment. "The best tribute to Cesar is the thousands of young people who joined us today to show their commitment to continue Cesar’s work to bring dignity and respect
to the working people of the nation," said UFW President Arturo Rodriguez.
Edward James Olmos summed up the event, saying "Today is a celebration of life and the remembrance of values we should never forget, as taught to us by many people–especially Cesar Chavez."
Chavez, who the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy described as "one of the heroic figures of our time," would have been 75 on March 31. He formed the UFW on his birthday in 1962. Chavez died on April 23,1993.
Sponsors supporting the 4th Annual Cesar Chavez Walk included ABC7, KMEX, La Opinion, Super Estrella and L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina.
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