César E. Chávez, 1927-1993

Berkeley Celebrates “Si Se Puede!”

2006 Chávez Commemoration Home  •  Calendar of Events  •  Resources

C�sar Ch�vez painting (Ocampo)Honoring César’s Legacy Through Service to the Community

2006 Commemorative Period
March 20th to April 23rd
Calendar of Events

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. ¡Si 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

César E. Chávez, the courageous defender of those who work the earth, used to claim that farm workers were an early warning system against environmental destruction. Much like miners who used to carry canaries with them to warn of poison gas, “farm workers are societies canaries,” he stated:

“Those who live in the area of grape vineyards are constantly exposed to cancer, birth deformity, miscarriages, sterility, respiratory difficulties and death. You find toxic substances in the fields, streets, soils, air, water, playgrounds, parks, and the poisonand killing of children continues unabated.”

While Cesar’s social justice efforts are more known, his commitment to earth stewardship is not. Chávez consistently articulated both an environmental and social justice message.

His message was that there is probably no greater connection that we have with the earth than through the food that we eat, and that those who work the earth, those who plant and harvest the food that sustains us, are among the most unappreciated and exploited.

C�sar Ch�vezCHAVEZ SPEAKS (mp3, 2.8 MB): A two-minute excerpt from a speech delivered to the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco in 1984.  The excerpt addresses the sins of growers with respect to environmental toxins.  The speech covered the struggles and achievements of the United Farm Workers Union.

 

Learn more:

César Chávez & Environmentalism

Farmworker Resolution - Sierra Club

Principles of Environmental Justice

Chávez Commemoration Planning Committee:

  • Councilmember Kriss Worthington,
  • Cisco DeVries (Mayor’s Office),
  • Terry Doran (School Board President),
  • Lupe Gallegos-Diaz (Director, Latino/a Student Development, UCB),
  • Mario Rivas (VP, Student Services, Vista College),
  • Beck Cowles (Ecology Center),
  • Alan Bern (City Libraries),
  • Chicory Bechtel (Earth Team),
  • Mark Coplan (Public Relations Director, BUSD),
  • Barry Fike (Berkeley Federation of Teachers),
  • Tina Flores (East Bay Farmworkers Support Committee),
  • Kirk Lumpkin (Farmers Markets, Ecology Center),
  • Fred Medrano (Dept. of Health & Human Services),
  • Manuel Hector (Dept. of Health & Human Services),
  • Santiago Casal, Latinos Unidos

Chavez Committee accepts proclamation from Mayor and Council

Chavez Committee accepts proclamation from Mayor and Council (click to enlarge)

Chavez Committee accepts proclamation from Mayor and Council