UC San Diego Presents Month-long
César Chávez Celebration in April

March 22, 2011

By Christine Clark

A legendary advocate for American workers, a human rights activist and proponent of non-violence solutions, César E. Chávez’s legacy lives on in many ways. At the University of California, San Diego, the life and achievements of Chávez will be celebrated with a series of events throughout the month of April.
            
Chávez’s birthday, March 31, is a statewide holiday and is observed by UC San Diego on March 25.

Chávez, the principal figure in the Chicano Civil Rights Movement, will be recognized at UC San Diego with events that include lectures, films, discussions with activists and scholars, a cultural celebration, youth essay contest and student field trip.

According to Jorge Mariscal, literature professor and chair of the UC San Diego César E. Chávez Recognition Planning Committee, “As the accomplishments of César E. Chávez and the Chicano movement become more distant in time, it is important that our young people learn about those who sacrificed so much so that future generations could live with dignity and equal opportunity.”
           
Lecturers on campus include major figures from Mexican American history, such as famed teacher and activist Sal Castro and internationally-known writer Cherrie Moraga. Moraga will present her new work entitled “Xicana Codex” at 7 p.m., April 21 in the Price Center Ballroom West.  

At 6 p.m., April 25 in the UC San Diego Huerta-Vera Cruz room, Castro and UC Santa Barbara professor Mario Garcia, will present their book, “Blowout!”  Castro was a mentor to Chicana/o students who advocated for public school reform and initiated the urban Chicano Movement in 1968.

The César E. Chávez Celebration finale on April 30 is the “Comienza con un sueño” outreach event. The all-day event is dedicated to promoting the importance of higher education to local middle and high school students and their families.

Other activities in the month-long salute to Chávez include:

• High School Essay Contest Awards Presentation and Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., March 28, San Diego Convention Center. Presented by the Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) and the César E. Chávez Recognition Planning Committee.

• Special screening of “Roots in the Sand,” April 26, at 11:30 a.m., UC San Diego Cross-Cultural Center. The film chronicles the Punjabi and Mexican workers in California’s Imperial Valley. 

• 25th Annual Cultural Celebration, all day, April 9, UC San Diego’s Thurgood Marshall College campus. The event features music, dance, food and art from around the world.

• Field trip to Chicano Park for the 41st Celebration of the Park in Barrio Logan, April 23, 11:30 a.m. The trip for UC San Diego students includes food, vendors, entertainment and free transportation. Presented by Center for Student Involvement.
  

            
The César E. Chávez Recognition Planning Committee is made up of student and staff volunteers from across the UC San Diego campus. For further information on Chávez activities call (858) 822-4059.

Media Contact: Christine Clark, 858-534-7618, or ceclark@ucsd.edu