Honor Cesar Chavez

>Archive - PWW Print Edition Archive - 2002 Editions - Feb 16, 2002


 

To include your name in an ad in the Mar 30 edition of the PWW, go to the end of this article.


Cesar Chavez, founder of the United Farmworkers of America (UFW) was one of the heroic figures of the 20th century.

As president of the UFW, Chavez led a five-year grape boycott, which led to historic advancements, including the first labor contracts for farm workers, the outlawing of the back-breaking short handle hoe in 1975, and the passage of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act, the first law governing farm labor organizing in the continental United States.

Chavez is a beloved hero of the Mexican-American people, the labor movement and, indeed, of all people who believe in justice.

Chavez’ birthday March 31 is a celebrated holiday in many states. The state of California made it an officially paid holiday and day of service and learning in the public schools in the year 2000. Our nation would be well served to pass legislation similar to California’s that would establish an federal holiday in memory of this great leader.

The People’s Weekly World will be honoring Chavez, his work and memory with a full-page ad next month. Readers will have the opportunity to pledge to carry on his work for labor rights, equality for Mexican Americans and Latinos, and dignity for all by signing onto the ad and getting friends, neighbors and co-workers to sign on, too.

Many lessons can be learned from Chavez’ life. He, like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was an adherent of nonviolent civil disobedience and led many strikes and boycotts for his cause. Chavez was also an early environmentalist, warning the public of the devastating effects of pesticides on both farmworkers and consumers. Chavez fought for the rights of immigrants, refusing to let the forces of agribusiness and racism scapegoat immigrant workers.

To honor Chavez sends a clear message to President Bush, John Ashcroft and other ultraright forces, that we refuse their attempts to polarize our nation, especially using anti-immigrant racism and increased racial profiling in the wake of Sept. 11. The demand of amnesty for all immigrants, high on the agenda before Sept. 11, is under attack from these forces. Honoring Chavez will help blunt and reverse these attacks.

The text of the ad, along with deadlines, will appear in upcoming issues. Name listings will be $25 each.

To add your name to this ad for Caesar Chavez and to support us online with a credit card contribution, click here.