César E. Chávez, 1927-1993

Chavez Day 2009: Sí Se Puede! Yes we can!

This year's theme, "Sí Se Puede! Yes we can!" reminds us that our actions can bring HOPE and positive CHANGE to our communities. We have seen the power of people organizing across this country in recent months to bring change to the White House and we must continue that call to action so we can bring change to our communities. Join us as we celebrate Chavez Season 2009, a Season of Service and commitment, because "We don't need perfect political systems. We need perfect participation." - Cesar Chavez

Click here for educational materials, tool-kits, and resources for Chavez Day 2009

This year we will be particularly focusing on “Teaching Tolerance” — on making sure that all children in the BUSD are introduced to the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez — farm labor organizer, civil rights activist, and environmental justice advocate.

A Teaching Kit for Grades 7-12

Viva La Causa focuses on one of the seminal events in the march for human rights — the grape strike and boycott led by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta in the 1960s. Viva la Causa will show how thousands of people from across the nation joined in a struggle for justice for the most exploited people in our country — the workers who put food on our tables.

The kit includes:

• 39-minute film on DVD
• Teacher's guide with standards-based lesson plans

Viva La Causa meets content standards for social studies and language arts, grades 7-12.

Lessons from Viva La Causa:

• Lesson 1: Exploring the Film
• Lesson 2: Economic Injustice Affects Us All
• Lesson 3: Farmworkers and the Union
• Lesson 4: Committing to Nonviolence
• Lesson 5: Allies for Justice
• Lesson 6: Injustice on Our Plates
• Lesson 7: Worker Exploitation Today
• Lesson 8: The Immigration Debate

Kit is free to schools! Order Viva la Causa.

For many additional resources K-12 — State approved lessons, audio & video, books, etc. — you can visit our resources page.

Sign the Petition for a National Cesar E. Chavez Holiday!

The United Farm Workers and the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation are proud to support the grassroots efforts of the Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday Coalition.

Cesar was in Sen. Robert F. Kennedy’s words, "one of the heroic figures of our time." He led the historic non-violent movement for farm worker rights and dedicated himself to building a movement of poor working people that extended beyond the fields and into cities and towns across the nation. Cesar inspired millions to commit themselves to social, economic and civil rights activism and is a role model for all Americans and for generations to come.

Please help us ensure all Americans learn about Cesar’s life and work. The Cesar Chavez National Holiday Coalition is gathering signatures on petitions asking Congress to designate March 31, Cesar’s birthday and the day the UFW was founded, as Cesar Chavez Day.