About 40 members of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán gathered at City Plaza during a break in the rain. Some used whistles to raise awareness as the group traveled down Main Street, chanting, “What do we want? Justice.”
The memory of farm labor activist Cesar Chavez was honored Saturday with a march through downtown and neighborhoods near the Chico State University campus.
About 40 members of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán gathered at City Plaza during a break in the rain. Some used whistles to raise awareness as the group traveled down Main Street, chanting, “What do we want? Justice.”
Student Stacy Rios said the march for Cesar Chavez Day was to honor the hard work of the man who formed the National Farm Workers Association with Dolores Huerta. The group later became the United Farm Workers union.
Rios said it’s unfortunate that some students in the community misunderstand the holiday, or even believe it is a Mexican holiday. Some students have used the day off from classes to dress up in Mexican costumes and attend theme parties.
Juan Guzman, director of MEChA, said he believe it’s more ignorance than disrespect for the work of Chavez, who worked for farm laborers of all countries of origin.
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