18th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Celebration

**18Th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Community Celebration**

WHAT: This year marks the 18th Annual Cesar E. Chavez community celebration commemorating the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez, the farm workers movement, and the ever present struggle towards justice on all levels and for all people.

There will be FOOD, SOCIAL SERVICE INFORMATION, and MUSIC. IT IS COMPLETELY FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND ALL ‘ARTISTS’ ARE WELCOME as well as COMMUNITY BENEFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT WOULD LIKE TO OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY.

WHY: In 1993, community members here in Fresno organized to rename Kings Canyon Street to Cesar Chavez Blvd in honor of Cesar’s legacy and struggle. Unfortunately, this did not happen because of greed, bigotry, and corruption, something Cesar dedicated his life to combating. As a result, Comite Cesar E. Chavez (CoCeCha) formed and began organizing community events around Chavez’ birthday. This event, aside from celebrating Chavez’ work, and legacy, is also a call to action against ongoing and new injustices.

The present attacks on collective bargaining, safe work environments, and meaningful wages, amongst other things, are a direct attack on labor, unions and ones dignity. The recent fire in the garment factory in Bangladesh that killed at least 20 workers and the persistent wage theft farm workers face exemplifies the necessity of having safe, sustainable, and meaningful work environments. Communities still lack access to safe drinking water, have an overexposure to toxic pesticides, and contaminant sources, including the largest toxic waste dump west of the Mississippi. Chavez understood these injustices and the corresponding rights violated. As inheritors of this legacy, we take action against the historic injustices he organized to cease, but also new ones.

WHEN (Prospective Times): April 2nd 2011-
9am – 12:00pm: MARCH!

12pm-1pm: Lunch

1pm-3pm: Program

WHERE: Holmes Playground- 212 1st Fresno CA 93702 (On First between Platt and Huntington Blvd.)

WHO: Comite Cesar E. Chavez (CoCeCha) is a group of community members, activist, and college students dedicated to grassroots community building, engagement, and organizing. Our mission is to not only commemorate the life, struggle, and legacy of Cesar E. Chavez but to bring about consciousness and awareness of the constant struggle to attain JUSTICE for all oppressed which Cesar gave his life for.