Sierra Club Says "Happy Birthday" to César Chávez

During the week of March 31, Sierra Club joined allies in the Latino, labor and civil rights communities to honor the legacy of American hero César Chávez by recognizing his birthday. César Chávez, best remembered as a champion of workers rights who fought to ban dangerous pesticides, co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW), an organization dedicated to garnering better wages, working conditions and respect for farm workers. Events honoring his March 31, birthday took place in cities across the country, from Los Angeles, CA to Boise, Idaho. 

Sierra Club Regional Conservation Organizer, Juana Torres, attended the César E. Chávez National Holiday campaign press conference held on March 26, in Los Angeles. During the event, co-chair of the campaign, Carlos Santana expressed his commitment to work to win support for a national holiday. Evelina Alarcón, Executive Director of the campaign for the national holiday, in her introduction, recognized Juana Torres from the Sierra Club, and mentioned the work and support the organization has given to the campaign. 

 

In DC, Congressman Baca (D-CA) held a press conference in support of the holiday. He was joined by Isabel Long, Sierra Club Associate Representative for Latino Programs and representatives from the League of United Latino American Citizens (LULAC) and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), as well as AFL-CIO Executive Vice President, Arlene Holt Baker, among others.  Sierra Club marched along side allies in San Antonio from Guadalupe Church to the Alamo, joining in the chant of “¡Sí se puede!”

The Sierra Club has endorsed the César Chávez National Holiday Campaign. Carl Pope explains that César Chávez’ advocacy work for “justice, public lands, citizen action, corporate accountability and the rights of workers and communities to a safe and healthy environment are core values of the Sierra Club.”

César Chávez’ vision and leadership continue to inspire us today as we organize to confront global warming, environmental injustices and other threats to our health and families.