March Will Honor Labor Leader Chavez
Thousands are expected to participate Sunday in a march in memory of the late farm labor leader Cesar Chavez.
The 1 1/2-mile march begins at noon at Brand Park in Mission Hills, winds into San Fernando along Brand Boulevard through the business district and ends at San Fernando Recreation Park with a festival featuring music, art, theater and dance.
Municipal leaders say tiny San Fernando was the first city in the nation to designate Chavez’s birthday, March 31, an official holiday. Chavez died in 1993.
Residents formed the Cesar Chavez Commemorative Committee to keep his spirit alive and to inspire others to fight for human rights without resorting to violence.
Eight days after the march, the committee will sponsor a voluntary fast in memory of the numerous hunger strikes Chavez undertook in his crusade for workers’ rights. A candlelight vigil and Mass will be held April 6 at 7 p.m., when the fast ends, at St. Ferdinand’s Catholic Church, 1109 Coronel St.
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