California State University Stanislaus will hold a commemorative celebration event in honor of Cesar Chavez Day to remember the civil rights leader and his legacy.
The community is invited to attend the March 27 event, when various activities will be held on campus throughout the day.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., information booths, a Cesar Chavez display and karaoke will take over the university quad area.
During the evening, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., activities will occur at the university Event Center including a keynote address by Armando Elenes, the National Vice President of United Farm Workers.
Elenes was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States in 1980 at the age of eight. At the age of 15, Elenes began working in nurseries, dairies, and picked peaches and apricots to help provide for his family.
After attending Hilmar High School Elenes served in the U.S. military, spending four years in the Air Force. Upon leaving the service Elenes studied for two years at Modesto Junior College and earned his Associates of Arts Degree. During his time at MJC, Elenes became involved with the United Farm Workers’ major strawberry organizing campaign on the Central Coast and helped organize dozens of union supporters to leaflet stores.
Elenes was offered an internship at the United Farm Workers office in Los Angeles as a community organizer. After less than two years with the union, Elenses transferred to the organizing department of the United Farm Workers in Delano and continues to work there to help organize workers within the Central Valley.
The evening event will also feature entertainment and a poster contest. The poster contest invites local students to create a poster that reflects Chavez’s work, accomplishments, philosophies, and at least one of his values. First and second place winners will receive cash prizes. Entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. on March 20.
Cesar Chavez remains a major historical icon for Latino Americans, as a strong Latino American civil rights activist who promoted support for workers and union laborers. Chavez, who died at the age of 66 in 1993, created the United Farm Workers. March 31 was declared an official holiday in the State of California in 1995 to promote community service in honor of Chavez. Many schools observe Cesar Chavez Day, including CSU Stanislaus.
The CSU Stanislaus Cesar E. Chavez Committee plans the activities for the 18th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Celebration. All events are free of charge and open to the public. Free parking will also be available in Parking Lot 11.
For more information, call (209) 667-3982.
