Remembering Cesar Chavez

As a local effort to commemorate the Cesar E. Chavez holiday, the Chicano Latino Caucus of the Inland Empire invited the public to join them for the Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Luncheon held on Sunday, March 30 at the San Bernardino Hilton Hotel. The memorial celebration came as they observed the life and legacy of Cesar E. Chavez, who began building the United Farm Workers, one person at a time in one small valley farm worker town after another. He then built a movement based on selfless service to others, inspiring farm workers, and others otherwise unfamiliar with activism. The Chicano Latino Caucus of the Inland Empire seeks to "raise the political and civic awareness of the Latino population by helping to elect Latinos and individuals that are sensitive to [the] communities, causes, and issues at all levels of government," according to its mission statement. With an introduction of ceremonies, a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem, people of all walks of life came together to this community driven event, shared event volunteer Karen Suarez. From local dignitaries, to the Consulate of Mexico, to Congressional candidates, school board leaders, sheriffs, and the general public, people from throughout the community joined to hear Maria Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and Mario Martinez, General Counsel, United Farm Workers speak. Entertainment was provided by Danzantes Del Sol, award-winning Aztec Dance Group, whom the President, Gilbert Esquivel recounted, "Cesar always wanted [at events] as a reminder of [his] people and whose land this [was]". All proceeds made from the $30 ticket price, and purchasing of tables at the event will be used for the memorial wall at Cesar Chavez Park located in Colton, which was renamed after him for his contribution to the community.