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Chávez Commemoration Home • Calendar of Events • Resources
Honoring
César’s Legacy Through Service to the Community2006 Commemorative Period
March 20th to April 23rd
Calendar of Events
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.
CHAVEZ
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
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Chávez Commemoration Planning Committee:
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Chavez Committee accepts proclamation from Mayor and Council (click to enlarge)
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