Legacy of Cesar Chavez to be Celebrated at Colorado State University March 24-31

Beginning March 24, student groups at Colorado State University will join with the Fort Collins community to host a weeklong celebration in honor of Cesar Chavez, a celebrated Mexican-American activist.

Chavez died in 1993 but his legacy is remembered with the annual celebration of his birthday on March 31 as a holiday in four U.S. states including Colorado. This year’s celebration, called "The Legacy of Cesar Chavez: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," will feature entertainment and speakers to educate students and community members on the importance of civil rights activism.  

The kick-off event will be 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, in the Main Ballroom of the Lory Student Center on the Colorado State campus. Entertainment and free food will be provided and the Cesar Chavez High School Awards will be presented. Reflection on the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez will be a part of the celebration.  

On Wednesday, March 25, a film screening of "Bread and Roses" will be held at 7 p.m. in the DC Bottoms Room in the Durrell Center on campus. The film screening will be followed by a facilitated discussion. The film is a dramatic story about a Mexican immigrant named Maya who arrives in Los Angles and gets a job as a janitor in a large office building. After helping a man evade the building’s security guards, she is drawn into the man’s world, plant seeds of unionization among her co-workers.

On Monday, March 30 "La Lucha Sigue: Cesar Chavez, Current Issues, and Social Justice" will be presented at noon in the Lory Student Center Senate Chambers. Norberto Valdez, associate professor of Ethnic Studies, will lead a discussion about the legacy of Cesar Chavez, Delores Huerta, the United Farm Workers and lessons learned about contemporary struggles for social justice and human dignity.

On Tuesday, March 31 "Honoring Cesar Chavez: Colorado State University Celebration" will be 1- 3 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Commons. The event will celebrate the contributions and work of Cesar Chavez. Entertainment and live music will mark the festive occasion. Educational displays highlighting the life and times of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers will be featured.

Also on Tuesday, March 31 Su Teatro will perform "Papi, Me and Cesar Chavez" at 7 p.m. in the Lory Student Theater. "Papi, Me and Cesar Chavez" is a live performance by Su Teatro that chronicles the United Farm Workers historic march from Delano, Calif. to the state capitol in Sacramento, as seen through the eyes of 10-year-old Gloria, the writer. Spanish translation available on a limited basis.

Colorado State sponsors of the celebration are Apartment Life, Associated Students of Colorado State University, Campus Activities, CSU Bookstore, El Centro Student Services, Housing and Dining Services, Multicultural Greek Council, Lory Student Center Governing Board, Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, Resources for Disabled Students, Vice President for Student Affairs Parents Fund, Sigma Lambda Beta and Pi Lambda Chi.

Fort Collins community sponsors are Anheuser Busch, CJPE, Consuelo’s Mexican Restaurant, CORE Center, Fort Collins Coloradoan, Fuerza Latina, Pepsi and the Poudre School District.

All events are free and open to the public. Donations of canned food will be accepted at all events.

For more information, visit www.fc-cesarchavez.org, contact or contact Lance Wright at (970) 491-6921 or wrightme@colostate.edu.

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