By Joe Bernick

People's Weekly World

TUCSON, Ariz. - Over 200 people turned out on Sept. 27 for an interfaith service here honoring Cesar Chavez. Participants pointed out that the Sept. 11 tragedy highlights the need to learn from Cesar Chavez, who struggled for justice and dignity while practicing nonviolence.

The interfaith service was followed by a march the next day for a paid Chavez holiday in Pima County, the state's second largest county.

County Supervisor Raul Grijalva thanked the crowd that represented many nationalities for their support and, in particular, to the students at Cesar Chavez Middle School in South Tucson, who turned out to both events.

"What you are doing is redefining what America is about - treating people the way they deserve to be treated," Grijalva said.

Grijalva and Dan Eckstrom, two of the five county supervisors, are strong supporters of the holiday. The other three supervisors have not publicly taken a position. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to decide the issue this fall.

Rally speakers emphasized the need to put pressure on the entire county board by calling, writing and e-mailing supervisors, and petitioning. The State of Arizona has a Chavez holiday to honor its native son, born to an Arizona farmworker family. Chavez became one of America's greatest labor and civil rights leaders. The AFL-CIO and the Chicano community in southern Arizona have long advocated a paid holiday to truly recognize Chavez' contributions to America.

The recent victory in California for a paid Chavez holiday has helped add momentum to this movement.