Save the date
César Chávez Celebration X

Saturday / March 31, 2012 / Circus Circus-Reno
César Chávez X Celebracion del 2012
sábado 31 DE Marzo, 2012 en Circus Circus de Reno

Sponsorship and Ticket Information

Reno and Carson City Trayvon demonstrations March 24
Sign the petition to win justice for 17 year-old
Florida murder victim Trayvon Martin + continuous updates

IN MEMORIAM
UFW leader Richard Chávez, brother of César Chávez, dies at 81
Los Angeles Times / 7-28-2011

Why did Jerry Brown veto farm worker bill?
William Bradley / Huffington Post / 7-8-2011


César Chávez Celebration IX
Thursday/jueves, March/marzo 31, 2011
Bro. Chávez was born 3-31-1927
Circus Circus-Reno
Sponsorship and Ticket Information

César Chávez Day in Nevada
EL DÍA DE CÉSAR CHÁVEZ

¡Sí se puede!
Be well. Raise hell.

A walk with the giants
The César Chávez Nevada Labor Hall of Fame Awards
Barbwire by Barbano / Expanded from the 4-3-2011 Daily Sparks Tribune

The César Chávez Long March
by Reno artist Erik Holland


Mr. Holland will be selling cards and prints at the March 31 César Chávez celebration at Circus Circus in Reno. The original watercolor is currently displayed at the Nevada Legislature in the office of Sen. Ruben Kihuen, D-Las Vegas.

Copyright © 2009 Erik Holland. All rights reserved.

A HALL OF FAMER REMEMBERS

 

“I WAS THERE”
An Oral History

By George W. Nelson (1932-2016)
Retired United Auto Worker, former UAW Local 1364 Committeeman, Local 1364 Recording Secretary, Northern California Community Action Program Recording Secretary, and Local 2162 Retired Chapter Chairman
2013 honoree, César Chávez Nevada Labor.com Hall of Fame

"I gave the following reading at the César Chávez Northern Nevada Labor Hall of Fame on March 31, 2011, at Circus-Circus Resort, in Reno, Nevada":

      I was there in December 1965, the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, better known as the United Auto Workers’ Union (“UAW”), held its Region Six Community Action Program Conference in Fresno, California.

After hearing a presentation from three strikers from Delano regarding labor problems in the vineyard during grape harvest, a motion was made by conference delegates to support the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (“UFWOC”) with financial and manpower support.

      I was there the following morning at our first session. Our UAW International President, Walter Reuther, introduced César Chávez, who spoke to us about the Delano grape strike. Before that day’s session ended, Walter Reuther announced that the UAW would contribute Five Thousand Dollars a month and manpower as needed to the UFWOC.

      I was there when UAW International President Walter Reuther assigned his younger brother, Roy Reuther, the task of convincing the president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O, George Meany, and the leadership of the A.F.L.-C.I.O (“AFL-CIO”) affiliated unions to support the UFWOC.

       I was there when Roy Reuther took on the daunting task of getting the half interested George Meany to give unlimited support to the UFWOC. Roy Reuther worked the next two years getting the AFL-CIO support for the UFWOC. His efforts were successful. Meany assigned Bill Kircher, his very energetic AFL-CIO Director to the UFWOC. Thereafter, Bill Kircher organized the UFWOC for several years.

      UAW Regional Director Paul Schrade, UAW International Representative, Roy Reuther, ILWU President Jimmy Herman, as well as ILWU Activist Don Watson and long-time ILWU Leader Richard Cavalli were the first labor leaders with power and influence to volunteer to help César Chávez and the UFWOC.
Sadly, Roy Reuther died of a massive heart attack in January 10, 1968.

       I was there on a pleasant day in September 1969 when the UFWOC completed the first building on the Forty Acres in Delano for its headquarters. César Chávez dedicated the headquarters in the name of Roy Reuther for his help to the UFWOC, and UAW members from throughout California came to Delano to celebrate the dedication. Local 1364 of Fremont, California had two busloads of members, and the union brothers from Oakland, California came to the Forty Acres in a Peerless Stage bus from Oakland filled to capacity. Hundreds of UAW members from Southern California along with hundreds of striking UFWOC members joined us for the dedication that included a Catholic Mass and a fiesta.

      While standing on a flatbed of a ten-wheel travel trailer, César Chávez presented Alan Reuther, Roy Reuther’s brother, with the dedication plaque. Standing on the flatbed with Cesar and Alan were Walter Reuther, Paul Schrade, Dolores Huerta, Richard Chávez, and an unidentified striking UFWOC member, who had been on strike for three years. The dedication was followed by Mass given by a priest from the Roman Catholic Church of Delano also who also stood on the flatbed. A fun fiesta followed.

OCTOBER, 1969 — César Chávez, right, and Walter Reuther, center, at the dedication of the United Farm Workers' new headquarters in Delano, Calif. The buildings were dedicated to Reuther's late younger brother, Roy. The Reuther-led United Auto Workers were instrumental in acquiring the land and funding for "The 40 Acres," as the site was known. The man at left was on a picket line for five years and may or may not be a Chávez relative. Anyone who can identify him, please contact me. A character resembling him appeared in many scenes of the 2014 major motion picture César Chávez. (Photo courtesy of George Nelson (1932-2016), UAW Local 2162 Retirees.)

       I was there on the Monday after the dedication at Forty Acres when five busloads of UAW Ford members, who had been holding their yearly conference in Bakersfield, California, joined three busloads of us UAW General Motors’ members to picket several grape vineyards in the Delano area alongside the UFWOC striking members. One bus carrying our picket gang was led by Dolores Huerta and Joe Alvarez, a Northern California Ford Service Representative, another bus was led by Richard Chavez, and the third bus was led by our UAW Local 1364’s Group Leader and Shop Chairman, Chief Herrera.

       For the next several years, after the dedication, the AFL-CIO, the UAW and the ILWU routinely sent hundreds of volunteers from their local unions to UFWOC picket lines, to long and short marches, to grape and iceberg lettuce boycotts, and to many organizing drives.


César Chávez and Dr. King still lead us
By Andrew Barbano / Reno Gazette-Journal Guest Editorial / 3-31-2011

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and César Chávez still guide us.

Last week came what historian Guy Louis Rocha called the biggest demonstration ever at the state capital, about 1,500 people. It was comprised largely of college students from all over Nevada. Many of the latter day freedom riders rode in on buses, texting and tweeting lawmakers all the way.

Last Monday, the UNR Latino Student Advisory Board hosted a César Chávez commemoration on campus.

Student leader Carla Castedo Testa, a senior psychology major who organized the event, said "we want to honor César Chávez and his contributions to civil rights. Chávez was someone who, through his non-violent actions, left a legacy of leadership, activism and unity.

"When everyone seemed to be against his cause and his desire to achieve workers' rights, he never gave up and, for that, we are all grateful. This is one of the qualities that keeps inspiring our generation to improve. By helping others and by accomplishing a higher level of education that will allow us to better serve our community, we hope to keep his legacy going strong," Castedo said
.
Ms. Castedo and some her colleagues will attend the annual César Chávez celebration on march 31 at Reno's Circus Circus on the legendary labor leader's 84th birthday. The Nevada Legislature has a Latino Caucus for the first time and a majority has confirmed. Members of the Chávez family will attend, as usual.

The Thursday event will install new members of the Nevada Labor Hall of Fame. Local entertainers César Perez and Ángel Rodriguez will perform.

Both Chávez events pave the way to national unity day on April 4, the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King who traveled to Memphis, Tenn., supporting striking union garbage workers.

"On April 4, church leaders, civil rights activists and community members of all stripes will hold events around the country to say, as Dr. King did, that 'injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,'" stated national NAACP President Benjamin Jealous.

"In recent months, we have witnessed attempts in North Carolina to amend state policy to accelerate the resegregation of its public schools, a widespread assault on voting rights — including an effort in Florida that would take up to 300,000 voters off the rolls, continued attacks on the rights of women and immigrants in addition to the well-publicized offensive on the rights of organized labor," Jealous added.

The local April 4 gathering will take place on the campus of Carson City's Western Nevada College at 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact last year's César Chávez union organizer of the year Liz Sorenson at Communications Workers of Amerca Local 9413/AFL-CIO in Sparks at 775-322-9413.

The fight for justice never ends. The Texas board of education has tried to eliminate Chávez and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall from history books. The governor of Maine recently ordered Chávez's name removed from a meeting room at the state labor department.

¡Sí se puede!

Be well. Raise hell.

Andrew Barbano is editor of NevadaLabor.com and chairs the Nevada César Chávez Committee.

César Chávez, Dr. King & the kids are alright
Barbwire by Barbano / Expanded from the 3-27-2011 Daily Sparks Tribune


Monday, March 28, 2011

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
CARLA CASTEDO 775-342-7612
ANDREW BARBANO, 775-882-TALK (882-8255)
e-mail barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us
CesarChavezNevada.com

UNR students honor César Chávez
2011 César Chávez Celebration IX on Thursday
Thursday/jueves, March/marzo 31, 2011 / Circus Circus - Reno


RENO, Nevada, USA (Monday 3-28-2011) — Today from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., the University of Nevada Latino Student Advisory Board will host a César Chávez commemoration under the rotunda in the Knowledge Center just south of Lawlor Events Center next to the Crowley Student Union. Fiesta Mexicana will dance and Sen. Moises Denis, D-Las Vegas, will speak.

"We are hosting this event because we want to honor César Chávez and his contributions to civil rights," said student leader Carla Castedo, a senior psychology major.

"Chávez was someone who, through his non-violent actions, has left a legacy of leadership, activism and unity," she added.

"When everyone seemed to be against his cause and his desire to achieve workers' rights, he never gave up and, for that, we are all grateful. This is one of the qualities that keeps inspiring our generation to improve. By helping others and by accomplishing a higher level of education that will allow us to better serve our community, we hope to keep his legacy going strong," Castedo said.

"As a group, we want to unite and incorporate our ideas and/or suggestions to university staff members and community leaders who, like us, strive for the enhancement of the Hispanic community here in Nevada," Castedo noted. (1)

Ms. Castedo and some her colleagues will attend the annual César Chávez celebration on Thursday evening at Circus Circus on the legendary labor leader's 84th birthday. Members of the Chávez family will attend, as usual. In accordance with state law (2), Gov. Brian Sandoval has proclaimed March 31 as César Chávez Day in Nevada.

The Thursday event will present the latest round of César Chávez awards to the union organizer of the year, employer of the year and project of the year. New members of the Nevada Labor Hall of Fame will be installed. Local entertainers César Perez and Ángel Rodriguez will perform.

The Nevada Legislature has a Latino Caucus for the first time and a majority is expected to attend on Thursday, including Sens. Denis and Ruben Kihuen, D-Las Vegas, and Assemblymembers Teresa Benitez-Thompson, D-Reno, Irene Bustamante Adams, Steven Brooks, Richard Carillo and Lucy Flores, all D-Las Vegas.

Assemblymember Olivia Diaz, D-North Las Vegas, who became a new mother right after the session started last month, has also been invited. Assemblymember Richard "Skip" Daly, D-Sparks, and Sen. Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas, have also confirmed.

Doors to the Circus Circus Mandalay Ballroom open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7:00. Tickets may be purchased online through CesarChavezNevada.com or by calling (775) 882-8255. The web archive has history and photos dating back to 1986 when Chávez visited Reno.

Individual tickets are $65 per person in advance; $75 per person at the door; children under 12 are $25 each; seniors 65+ or students (with student i.d.) are $35 per person in advance, $40 per person at the door.

Major sponsors of this year's celebration are Laborers Union Local 169 and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 4041/AFL-CIO.
_____

1. UNR Latino Student Advisory Board Facebook event page


2. AB 301, sponsored by Assemblyman (now Senator) Ruben Kihuen, D-Las Vegas, and 18 others.

State Sen. Ruben Kihuen, D-Las Vegas, brings his congressional campaign to northern Nevada


3-17-2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
ANDREW BARBANO, 775-882-TALK (882-8255)

RENO, Nevada, USA — Nevada César Chávez Day IX takes place on Thursday, March 31, 2011, at Circus Circus Hotel-Casino in Reno. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7:00 p.m.

As always, members of César Chávez's immediate family have been invited, as have Gov. Brian Sandoval and the Nevada Legislature's new Latino Caucus. In accordance with the bi-partisan measure passed by the 2009 legislature, the governor has proclaimed March 31 as a day in honor of César Chávez. (1)

Last year, the event inaugurated the Nevada Labor Hall of Fame. The first inductee was former Harrah's bartender Darlene Jespersen, whose wrongful termination legal action became an international cause celébre and is taught in many law schools today.

Additional hall of famers will be installed this year as they receive César Chávez Silver State Lifetime Public Service Awards.

Nominations remain open for labor organizer of the year, employer of the year, humanitarian of the year and union project of the year.

Seating is limited and reservations are strongly recommended.

On March 31, doors of the Circus Circus Mandalay Ballroom will open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7:00 p.m. Reserved tables for 10 are $600 purchased on or before March 28 and $725.00 thereafter.

Individual tickets purchased on or before March 28 are $65 per person; thereafter or at the door, $75 per person; children under 12 are $ 25.00 each; seniors 65+ or students (with student i.d.) purchased on or before March 28 are $35 per person; purchased March 28 or thereafter, $40 per person.

Tickets may be purchased online or by calling Andrew Barbano at (775) 882-8255. The website has major sponsorship information as well as history and photos dating back to 1986 when Chávez visited Reno.

(1) AB 301, sponsored by Assemblyman (now Senator) Ruben Kihuen, D-Las Vegas, and 18 others.


César Chávez IX Celebracion del 2011
Jueves 31 DE Marzo, 2011 en Circus Circus de Reno

RENO Nevada, Estados Unidos – El día de César Chávez IX en Nevada tomara lugar el jueves 31 de marzo del 2011, en el Hotel-Casino Circus Circus en Reno. Las puertas abren alas 5:30pm, la cena empieza alas 7:00pm.

Como siempre, los miembros de la familia más cercana de César Chávez han sido invitados, al igual que el Gobernador. Brian Sandoval y el nuevo Comité latino de la Legislatura de Nevada. De acuerdo con la medida bipartita aceptada por la legislatura 2009, el gobernador ha proclamado el 31 de marzo como un día en honor a César Chávez. (1)

El año pasado, el evento inauguró el Pasillo de la fama en Nevada. El primer recluta fue el barman de Harrah’s Darlene Jespersen, cuya acción legal por despedido injustificado llegó a ser una causa celebre internacional y ahora es demostrado en muchas facultades de derecho. Serán instalados nuevos famosos este ano mientras reciben premios de servicios comunitarios de por vida en el estado de plata.

Las nominaciones siguen abiertas para el organizador del trabajo del año, el empleador del año, el filántropo del proyecto de año y la unión del año.

Asientos están limitados y recomendamos hacer reservaciones.

El 31 de marzo, en el Circus Circus Mandalay Ballroom puertas abrirán alas 5:30pm y la cena empieza alas 7:00pm. Las reservaciones de mesas para 10 personas cuestan $600 compradas en o antes del 28 de marzo y después de ese día cuestan $725.

Boletos individuales comprados en o antes de el 28 de marzo cuestan $65 por persona; después o en la puerta cuestan $75 por persona; niños menores de 12 cuestan $ 25 cada uno; mayores de 65 o estudiantes (con identificación de estudiante) comprados en o antes de el 28 de marzo cuestan $35 por persona; después de ese día cuestan $40 por persona.

Los boletos pueden ser ordenados en línea o llamando a Andrew Barbano al (775) 882-8255 (882-TALK). El sitio web tiene mayor información de patrocinio así como historia y fotos que antedatan a 1986 cuando Chávez visitó Reno.

1. AB 301, patrocinado por Asambleísta (ahora Senador) Ruben Kihuen, D-Las Vegas, y otros 18.

 

 


Viva Chávez

Thanks to all who made Chávez VIII memorable.
Congratulations to all the honorees.

Surprise award winners announced

Barbwire by Barbano / Expanded from the 4-4-2010 Daily Sparks Tribune

César Chávez awards presented
Reno Gazette-Journal 4-1-2010

Today we march with Chávez
Andrew Barbano guest editorial / Reno Gazette-Journal 3-31-201
0

Nevada governor fails to follow law, lets César Chávez Day drop thru the cracks
U-News 3-30-2010

Cesar Chavez dinner scheduled Wednesday in Reno
Reno Gazette-Journal 3-29-2010

César Chávez Day:
Organizing Nevada on March 31
Union employer and project of the year awards announced
Barbwire by Barbano / Expanded from the 3-28-2010 Daily Sparks Tribune



Nevada celebrated her first official statewide César Chávez Day on Wednesday, March 31, 2010.

Assemblyman Ruben Kihuen, D-Las Vegas, delivered the keynote address in Reno in 2009. The passage shortly thereafter of his Assembly Bill 301 meant that César Chávez's March 31 birthday was proclaimed the first statewide Nevada César Chávez Day and will remain so in perpetuity.

We added new features in 2010 as we inaugurated the César Chávez Silver State Public Service Awards. Nominations are open for labor organizer of the year, employer of the year, humanitarian of the year and union project of the year. New members of the Nevada Labor Hall of Fame will be installed.

Members of César Chávez's immediate family are again expected to attend, including his brother, Librado "Lee" Chávez. Nevadans who knew or worked with César Chávez will speak on their experiences. Federal, state and local officials are also expected, like 2010.

Major sponsors this year include Laborers' Union Local 169, the Building & Construction Trades Council of Northern Nevada/AFL-CIO, the Northern Nevada Central Labor Council/AFL-CIO; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 4041/AFL-CIO; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Locals 401 and 1245/AFL-CIO and Communications Workers of America Local 9413/AFL-CIO. (Links below.)

Doors to the Mandalay Ballroom open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7:00 at Circus Circus-Reno. Easiest access is through the southwest corner of the hotel at Fifth and Sierra streets. The escalator downstairs to the convention center is just beyond the double doors.

Major sponsorships are available and bring considerable media exposure with them: Platinum ($7,500), Gold ($4,250), Silver ($1,750) and Bronze (Reserved table of 10) $600. See below or call (775) 882-TALK (882-8255) for more details. Prices increase as March 31 approaches, so reserve now.

¡Sí se puede!  Stay tuned.

César Chávez, Thurgood Marshall & Thomas Jefferson
Submit your nominations for the César Chávez Silver State Public Service Awards
Enter your video (for cash and/or prizes) in the public service announcement competition

Barbwire by Barbano / Expanded from the 3-21-2010 Daily Sparks Tribune

César Chávez Day 2010:
Produce your own revolution

Barbwire by Barbano/ Expanded from the 3-14-2010 Daily Sparks Tribune

Obama pays tribute to late Reno labor leader

THE WAY WE WERE — The above is a recently discovered photo from 1986. Left to right are Kathy Brown, Culinary Union Local 86 office manager; Miguel Contreras, Local 86 Secretary-Treasurer; Local 86 President Bill Uehlein; a lady named Natalie (anyone who knows her last name, please write), and César Chávez. This item was first published in Ahora, northern Nevada's Spanish-English weekly, on March 26, 2008. (UPDATE: On 3-19-2009, President Obama paid tribute to Brother Contreras as he spoke in the L.A. building named after the late labor leader. See the 1986 Chávez Reno archive, below.)

(Photo courtesy of Dan Rusnak, retired business manager of Laborers' Union Local 169.)

More stories and photos from César Chávez's 1986 Reno visit.

César Chávez Day will remind us
what we can become

Andrew Barbano Guest Editorial / Reno Gazette-Journal 3-21-2009

Assemblyman Ruben Kihuen introduces Nevada César Chávez Day bill
Testimony needed on AB 301

Governor Signs César Chávez Day Bill

SI SE PUEDE. Assemblymember Ruben Kihuen's, D-Las Vegas, César Chávez Day bill passed the senate 21-0 on May 12, 2009 and is on its way to the governor for signature. Well done, all!

Proyecto de ley pide designación de día de Cesar Chávez es presentado en la legislatura de Nevada.


2011-12 Sponsorship and ticket prices

MAJOR SPONSORSHIPS

PLATINUM: $ 7,500

  • Sponsorship of Nevada Labor Hall of Fame César Chávez Awards
  • Inclusion on all television spots
  • Reserved Table for 10
  • Major sponsorship mention on all media
  • Logo and links at the bi-lingual César Chávez section at NevadaLabor.com
  • Event onsite credit: Wall banner; distribution of literature and display table if needed; event program credit and recognition from the podium.

GOLD: $ 4,250

  • Reserved Table for 10
  • Half of Platinum package spot schedule
  • Logo and links at the bi-lingual César Chávez section at NevadaLabor.com
  • Event onsite credit: Wall banner; distribution of literature and display table if needed; event program credit and recognition from the podium.

SILVER: $1,750

  • Reserved Table for 10
  • Sponsorship credit on event program
  • TV spot inclusion as available
  • Logo and links at the bi-lingual César Chávez section at NevadaLabor.com

BRONZE: Reserved Table for 10

  • Purchased on or before March 28: $ 600.00
  • Purchased March 28 or thereafter: $ 725.00

Individual Tickets

Purchased on or before March 28: $ 65 per person

Thereafter or at the door: $ 75 per person
      Children under 12: $ 25.00


Seniors 65+ or students (with student i.d.)
     Purchased on or before March 28: $ 35 per person
     March 28 or thereafter: $ 40 per person

     If you cannot attend or send representatives, please consider purchasing tickets which we will donate with your compliments to students, seniors and those of limited resources.

     Please make checks payable to
         
U-News
          P.O. Box 10034
          Reno, NV 89510

Or use PayPal online, below.

Thanks for your consideration.

In Solidarity,

Andrew Barbano
CesarChavezNevada.com
NevadaLabor.com
Barbwire.TV
(775) 786-1455
Fax 747-0979


Use your credit or debit card through E-Bay's secure PayPal system

 

We reserve the right to turn down any sale or admission.

Major sponsors are donating portions of their ticket blocs so that area students may participate. Anyone planning to attend, even if your tickets are included in a sponsor or media package, should call for reservations which are required because of limited seating. Thanks for your patience.


César Chávez Celebration IX

Brought to you by

Above: End slate from the award-winning LIUNA Local 169 road construction zone safety campaign, now in its second decade.

Northern Nevada Central Labor Council/AFL-CIO
AFSCME Local 4041/AFL-CIO
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers/AFL-CIO
Local 401
Local 1245
Sheet Metal Workers Local 26/AFL-CIO

United Auto Workers Local 2162/AFL-CIO
Rudy Viola, President
George "Battling" Nelson, Chair
Retiree Chapter


AT&T Nevada
Waste Management, Inc.
 

The campaign for a César Chávez national holiday
Sign the petition


      César E. Chávez was born on March 31, 1927, on a small farm near Yuma, Arizona. At 10 years of age, he began life as a migrant farm worker. This ultimately led to his cause or "La Causa," advocating for better wages and working conditions for the nation's farm workers. In 1952, he began the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) to strive for equal rights for agricultural workers.
       César Chávez learned from and practiced the non-violent principles of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mohandas K. Gandhi. Chávez died on April 23, 1993, at the age of 66. He was posthumously awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994. The United States Postal Service issued a commemorative first class stamp bearing his image in 2003.

COUNTDOWN TO CHÁVEZ DAY

On March 10, 1968, Sen. Robert Kennedy, D-NY, and César Chávez met in Delano, California, for the breaking of Chavez's anti-violence fast. Chávez's physicians had contacted Kennedy to ask for his help in convincing Chávez to end his fast before it did more damage to his health.

On March 17, 1966, farm workers led by César Chávez began a march from Delano to Sacramento.

On March 31, 1927, César Chávez was born near Yuma, Ariz.

New York Times obituary, April 24, 1993: "Mr. Chávez, who was described by Robert F. Kennedy in 1968 as 'one of the heroic figures of our time,'was widely acknowledged to have done more to improve the lot of the migrant farm worker than anyone else. Fighting growers and shippers who for generations had defeated efforts to unionize field workers, and later fighting rival unionists, Mr. Chávez for the first time brought a degree of stability and security to the lives of some migrant workers. Largely because of him, the California Legislature in 1975 passed the nation's first collective bargaining act outside Hawaii for farm workers, who are largely excluded from Federal labor law coverage. 'For the first time,' Mr. Chávez said when asked to describe the union's achievement, 'the farm worker got some power.' Asked what had motivated his stubborn fight, he said, 'For many years I was a farm worker, a migratory worker, and, well, personally — and I'm being very frank — maybe it's just a matter of trying to even the score.'"

[Courtesy of longtime Nevada reporter Dennis Myers' Poor Denny's Almanac]


César Chávez Celebration IV
March 31, 2005

VETERANS — Left to right, Maria Zamora, Librado "Lee" Chávez and Tony Mayorga. Lee Chávez holds up a United Farm Workers of America flag signed by his late brother. The flag is part of Ms. Zamora's collection of Chávez/UFWA memorabilia which she displayed at the 2004 Chávez Celebration and will do so again this year. Ms. Zamora marched with César Chávez in the 1960's and cooked for the multitudes as they trekked across California. Tony Mayorga is President of Laborers' Union Local 169, a founding sponsor of the celebration. [UPDATE: Librado Chávez and a dozen family members attended the 2008 and 2009 events.]


When César Chávez came to Reno


    How often do we get to meet the great men of our age? Of the great apostles of nonviolence who have lived in our time and generations, I got to meet only one, but that was a meaningful one. César Chávez's (1986) visit to Reno gave me the opportunity to meet him, to shake his hand, to stand in his presence. It was an honor, one of the privileged moments of my life.

     On March 10, 1968, Robert Kennedy went to Delano to be with César when he broke his fast for nonviolence. Senator Kennedy said to César's supporters in the farm workers, "And when your children and grandchildren take their place in America, going to high school and college and taking good jobs at good pay — when you look at them, you will say, 'I did this. I was there, at the point of difficulty and danger'. And though you may be old and bent from many years of labor, no man will stand taller than you when you say, 'I marched with César'."

     We have not been very good custodians of that hope. Good jobs at good pay seem further away than ever. We have to do better. César's example calls.

— Courtesy of longtime Nevada reporter Dennis Myers' Poor Denny's Almanac
Used by permission.



      UFW FLAG ART presented by César Chávez to Reno Musicians Union Local 368 Secretary-Treasurer Beth Shay at Reno César Chávez Day I on July 15, 1986. Each color is symbolic — black for the dark situation of the farmworkers of the time; red for toil and sacrifice and the white circle for hope. Chávez himself designed it.


¿Quién fue César Chávez?

"Una de las figuras heróicas de nuestros tiempos"
—Senador Robert F. Kennedy, D-NY




Reno César Chávez Day XI
March 28, 2013

Blasts from the past

Reno César Chávez Day X
March 31, 2012

Reno César Chávez Day VIII
March 31, 2010

Reno César Chávez Day VII
March 31, 2009

Reno César Chávez Day VI
March 31, 2008

Reno César Chávez Day V
March 31, 2006

Reno César Chávez Day IV
March 31, 2005

Reno César Chávez Day III
March 31, 2004

Reno César Chávez Day II
March 31, 2003

Reno César Chávez Day I
July 15, 1986