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Ecology Center

César E. Chávez, 1927-1993

Berkeley Celebrates “Sí Se Puede!”


Cesar Chavez with clasped hands

2010 Commemorative Period
March 20th to April 23rd

"Non-violence really rests on the reservoir that you have to create in yourself of patience, not of being patient with the problems, but being patient with yourself to do the hard work."

- César Chávez

This year the Committee will be reorganized into three Teams:

  • City of Berkeley Team
    Contact: Sbeydeh Viveros-Bandera
  • BUSD Team
    Contact: Allison Kelly
  • Community Team
    Contact: Santiago Casal

Each will plan activities within their own spheres as well as across the 3 teams in a city-wide effort.

Please refer to the 2009 effort to see what was accomplished last year.

See also:

  • The César E. Chávez Memorial Solar Calendar & Education Project
  • Evolution of the Chávez Memorial
  • Chávez Resources

El elogio escrito en ocación de su muerte.

A fines de abril
a César E. Chávez

A fines de abril
las viñas ya verdes de brotos,
llegó la muerte al campesino,
al césar de las uvas vestidas de azul,
de las cebollas de fondos blancos,
de las manzanas de vestiduras rojas.
Le dijo - ¡Vén, César! -

Y se lo llevó de las uvas envenenadas,
las sandías, los melones llenos de mal,
de las batallas de los surcos,
de las emboscadas de las acequias,
del estandarte guadalupano,
de la bandera roja y negra.

Pero en los surcos
su voz dejó sembrado
su anhelo por justicia -
que es decir reclamar
el pan para el hambre
el alivio para el enfermo
los libros para el inocente.
Su voz dará fruto
y habrá regocijo
en los surcos,
las acequias,
las mesas,
la tierra.

© Rafael Jesús González 2008

An elegy written on the occasion of his death.

At the End of April
to César E. Chávez

At the end of April
the vines already green with buds,
death came to the field-worker,
to the caesar of the grapes dressed in blue,
of the onions in white petticoats,
of the apples in red vestments.

She said to him, "Come, César!"

And took him from the poisoned grapes,
the watermelons, the melons full of ill,
the battles of the furrows,
the ambushes of the ditches,
the Guadalupe standard,
the red and black flag.

But in the furrows
his voice left planted
his longing for justice -
which is to say, his demands
for bread for the hungry,
healing for the sick,
books for the innocent.

His voice will bear fruit
and there will be rejoicing
in the furrows,
in the ditches,
round the tables
in the land.

© Rafael Jesús González 2008

field workers farming tool
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César Chávez Commemoration Home

Calendar of Events

Teacher Resources

In The News

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Homage to Four Virtues of César Chávez

Hope

To believe that seemingly insurmountable obstacles can be overcome

Determination

To stay with a course of noble action despite obstacles.
¡Sí Se Puede!

Courage

To meet danger or advance unpopular opinions without giving way to fear

Tolerance

To resolve differences peacefully by understanding the beliefs of others

Part of the 4 directions/4 Virtues installation at the Chavez Interim Memorial
Part of the 4 directions/4 Virtues installation at the Chavez Interim Memorial
President Barack Obama meeting a young girl

"Chavez left a legacy as an educator, environmentalist, and a civil rights leader. And his cause lives on. As farm workers and laborers across America continue to struggle for fair treatment and fair wages, we find strength in what Cesar Chavez accomplished so many years ago. And we should honor him for what he's taught us about making America a stronger, more just, and more prosperous nation. That's why I support the call to make Cesar Chavez's birthday a national holiday. It's time to recognize the contributions of this American icon."

- Barack Obama

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