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I regret not posting this earlier. Today is Cesar Chavez Day, honoring the birthday of the great Cesar Chavez of the United Farm Workers. Here’s Obama’s statement, in which he designated today Cesar Chavez Day while meeting with the leader’s relatives:
“Today, on what would have been his 82nd birthday, Cesar Chavez’s legacy as an educator, environmentalist, and as a civil rights leader who struggled for fair treatment and fair wages for America’s workers is important for every American to remember.
Having begun as a farmworker, Cesar Chavez eventually co-founded the United Farm Workers and struggled to provide hundreds of thousands of people with better working conditions and the chance to live a better life. The cause of fair treatment and fair wages for America’s workers lives on today through the work of countless others.
Chavez’s rallying cry, “Sí Se Puede” – “Yes We Can,” was more than a slogan, it was an expression of hope and a rejection of those who said farmworkers could not organize, and could not take on the growers. Through his courage, Cesar Chavez taught us that a single voice could change our country, and that together, we could make America a stronger, more just, and more prosperous nation.”
The UFW has a great history of the life of Cesar Chavez for your pleasure. You can also sign the petition for an official Cesar Chavez holiday.
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So is Obama going to help the farm workers?
It was an honor to have lived in the time when Cesar was active. He gave more than his share.
Happy Birthday, Cesar Chavez. You were a success and remain an inspiration. Thank you.
Sí Se Puede.
Cesar had more of an impact on me than any politician. Also remember that his co worker was Delores Huerta who is still with us. Happy Birthday to a real hero . Give to the UFW.
It was an honor.
Happy Birthday, Cesar! Props to you and Delores and your lives’ work – and the mercy and justice you both brought to the good peope who feed us all.
I hope we’ll live to see everyone living in this country realize “Si Se Puede” – and join to defeat the corporatists.
¡Feliz cumpleaños, Cesar!!!!
A great champion not only of the FarmWorkers, but every man, woman and child.
He and Dolores, indeed, wrought great things and advances.
So much left to do, but their inspiration shines the light.
Thanks for the post, Michael.
It’s impossible to sign the petition. I tried 6 different word verifications.
Viva la UFW!
Having worked some in the tomatoes fields of California I can tell you that the farmworkers didn’t get paid enough for the work they did. We also had 12 hour days and no overtime until after the 10 hour of the day.
Cesar took on the sheriffs, fasted for recognition and faced off a lot of farmer’s. In 1975 I got a bullhorn and demonstrated for UFW at the University of Oregon where I later graduated from. Oregon is an AG state. Tree planting crews from mexico and there are a lot of AG factory workers that slave away as I did just one summer. The cleaning chemicals were deadly. The pesticides in the Orange patch in Florida were nasty and they tried to cheat you out of a days pay about $14.00 for leaving any oranges on the tree. It still sucks. But not quite as much. California has grants to build farmworker housing but landowners won’t do it.
Agree.
He was one of the few like JFK, LBJ, RFK, MLK who tried to make US better than they inherited without compromising on their principles nor taking the easy way out. I was hoping one of the current ones in congress, senate or executive branch is some one like him but sadly finding it difficult to find one. The current leadership is too busy in finding the shortest & easiest way to raise party funds from corporations for short-term corporate gains at the long term expense of common people and our economy.
I hope that the Obama administration is starting to learn that money from corporate lobbyists may not be the best way to help win votes. I think what the President said to the Supreme Court justices is prudent.
We need campaign finance reform in this country badly, but at the end of the day, it is the vote that counts.
Oh, and Happy Cesar Chavez Day to eveyone (even if I’m a little late)!!!
If Chavez were alive today, I believe he would be on the picket line in Philadelphia with the Temple nurses and hospital workers.
There is a strike report from Philly over at Seminal
Solidarity