PAC Student Media

By: Mariah Walker, PAC Pulse Staff

Starting in 2024, Alamo Colleges closed campuses in celebration of César E. Chavez Day for the first time since the holiday was proclaimed by former president Barack Obama in 2014. Campuses were closed on April 1 for the holiday.

César E. Chavez was a Mexican American labor and civil rights activist who had dedicated his life to “la causa” or the cause. Using the methods of nonviolent resistance that were practiced by Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Chavez advocated and fought for better working and living conditions for farmers through organizing and negotiating with their employers. He succeeded in raising pay and improving working conditions for farm workers as well as founded the National Farm Workers Association which would later be known as the United Farm Workers of America.

With this being the first year the Alamo Colleges closed for César E. Chavez Day, many students were made more aware of the holiday. One student stated, “I learned about César Chavez Day when I was given the day off this year. Before this, I had no idea who he was. After learning about him I did a quick Google search out of curiosity, but that was mostly it. I thought it was pretty interesting. Based on what I know, if we have the day off for someone we rarely hear about, I think it should be taught in schools more often like MLK Day is.”

César E. Chavez Day takes place on his birthday, March 31. Every year since 1997 San Antonio has held the César E. Chavez March for Justice. The march is co-sponsored by the city of San Antonio and organized by the César E. Chavez Legacy & Educational Foundation which is currently led by Ernest J. Martinez the son of the founder of the César E. Chavez Legacy & Educational Foundation, Jaime P. Martinez. Many groups participate in the march every year, including youth organizations, university student groups, employer diversity groups, non-profit organizations, and labor organizations. Annually San Antonio continues to celebrate and pay tribute to the life and accomplishments of César E. Chavez and will continue to do so in the years to come.

References:

“March for Justice.” City of San Antonio, http://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/CE/Special-Events/Cesar-Chavez/Events/March.
Accessed 11 Apr. 2024.

History.com Editors. “Cesar Chavez.” HISTORY, A&E Television Networks, 26 Sept. 2023,
http://www.history.com/topics/hispanic-history/cesar-chavez.