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Ecology Center

César E. Chávez, 1927-1993

Berkeley Celebrates “Sí Se Puede!”


painting of Cesar Chavez
photo of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta
Photo of César Chávez & Dolores Huerta by Jon Lewis

Aztec Dancers at the Chavez Parade in SF
San Francisco Cesar Chavez Parade and Festival, April 4, 2009

Music



Cesar Chavez – We Remember You by MC Magic Mario Cardenas


Si Se Puede by Pico Youth & Family Center



Cesar Chavez by Carlos Carmonay

César’s Legacy Through Service to the Community

2009 Commemorative Period
March 20th to April 23rd

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


Order Free
2009
Chavez Day
Posters


Teaching Tolerance logo

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.

Viva La Causa logo

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.

video: Cesar Chavez 1968 fastSHORT VIDEO CLIP: Cesar Chavez – Fast (5-Minutes)

Featuring commentary by Edward James Olmos, Dolores Huerta and others on the purpose of Cesar’s various fasts for life.

DOWNLOADABLE EDUCATIONAL UNIT:

Non-Violence & Service
(Teach Peace: Peer Education Project)



Cesar ChavezSign 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.



2009 Chávez Commemoration Planning Committee:

  • Chair: Santiago Casal, Director, César Chávez Memorial Solar Calendar & Education Project
  • Jesse Arreguin - (Councilmember District 4) (Caro Jauregui, Aide)
  • Alan Bern - (Community Relations Librarian, Berkeley)
  • Mark Coplan - (Information Officer, BUSD)
  • Beck Cowles - (Information Program Manager, Ecology Center)
  • Cathy Campbell - (President, Berkeley Federation of Teachers)
  • Federico Chavez - (Administrative Law Judge, Oakland)
  • Terry Doran - (President Emeritus, Berkeley School Board)
  • Tina Flores - (East Bay Farmworkers Support Committee)
  • Lupe Gallegos Diaz - (Director, Chicano/Latino Student Development, UCB)
  • Manuel Hector - (former Sr. Management Analyst, Dept. of Health, Berkeley)
  • Alison Kelly – (English Learner Coach, BUSD)
  • Beatriz Leyva Cutler (School Board Director)
  • Mel Martynn - (Teacher, Adult Education)
  • Fred Medrano - (Director, Berkeley Dept of Health & Human Services)
  • Kevin Sherrill - (Restoration Program Director, EarthTeam)
  • Sbeydeh Viveros-Bandera - (Aide to Mayor Bates)
  • Kriss Worthington – Councilmember, District 7)(Alejandro Soto-Vigil, Aide )
  • Nkauj Iab Yang - (Youth Together)

Adjunct Members:

  • Bill Huyett, Superintendent, BUSD
  • Neil Smith, Asst. Superintendent, BUSD
  • Christina Faulkner, Curriculum Director, BUSD
  • Julie Sinai, Chief of Staff, Mayor Bates
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César Chávez Commemoration Home

Calendar of Events

Teacher Resources

In The News

Archives:


  • 2008
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  • 2005

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

"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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