Merced, Livingston will celebrate Cesar Chavez

By all accounts, a march planned for later this month will be the first of its kind in Merced in honor of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.

Both Merced and Livingston plan celebrations of Chavez, who helped establish the United Farm Workers union and fought for better treatment of farmworkers.

The march in Merced is planned to start at 11 a.m. March 28 at the intersection of M and 16th streets.

Crissy Gallardo, a community organizer with Merced Organizing Project, said a coalition of nonprofit groups are teaming up to put on the march in hope of carrying on the efforts of Chavez. “We feel that our farmworkers are lacking basic human rights, like health coverage,” she said.

The nonprofits are looking for legislative changes that would allow farmworkers to sign up for health insurance. Undocumented immigrants cannot sign up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Chavez was known for his work to better the lives of farmworkers with nonviolent protests, including a 25-day fast in 1968 and a 36-day fast 20 years later. His efforts led landowners to sign union contracts with farmworkers, providing them with bathrooms, better wages and water breaks.

Gallardo called the civil rights leader a role model. Her parents were farmworkers, she said, and she was inspired by Chavez’s ability to rally support and fight for basic human rights.

“I think Cesar Chavez is an example of a leader that cared about people and had the heart and the ability to motivate and inspire others,” she said.

The march will continue into south Merced en route to the McNamara Park Youth Center, 1040 Canal St. Speakers, music and children’s activities are among the events scheduled there from noon to 3 p.m.

The groups also plan an art competition called “Viva la Huelga.” For more information on the competition, call Claudia Gonzalez at (209) 872-8405 or send an email to claudia@mopmerced.org.

Livingston’s events

Livingston plans to honor Chavez on what would have been his 88th birthday. His brother, Librado Chavez Jr., is set to visit elementary schools in town and participate in a fundraiser to benefit the Livingston Police Foundation, according to organizers.

The celebrations begin at 8 a.m. March 31 at Campus Park Elementary, 1845 H St., where children and families can join with Chavez and others in planting flowers around the city.

Chavez is also set to participate in a fundraiser planned for 4 to 6 p.m. at Livingston City Hall, 1416 C St., organizers said.

The fundraising will support the Police Department’s K-9 unit, according to police Chief Ruben Chavez.

“I view it as a historic opportunity where you get to talk to somebody who was involved in that movement back in the ’60s and ’70s,” he said.

For more on the events, call Deanna Soria at (209) 394-7916 or send an email to dsoria@livingstonpd.org.

This story was originally published March 16, 2015 at 4:51 PM with the headline "Merced, Livingston will celebrate Cesar Chavez."