2008 National Call to Action for César E. Chavez National Holiday

Help build actions on César E. Chávez's birthday this March 31^st, 2008!

As a national advocate for the social, economic and tpolitical advancement of Latino working families, LCLAA is proud to announce its partnership with César E. Chávez National Holiday, in their efforts to establish a national holiday and day of service and learning to commemorate the life of labor and civil rights leader César E. Chávez . The holiday effort will kick up nationally this year with actions across the country on Cesar's birthday, March 31^st. There are actions/events planned in 43 cities in 26 states so far.

César E. Chávez is an icon for both labor and the Latino community. His struggle for the empowerment of the poor and the disenfranchised is a model for humanity and his contributions to this nation must not go unrecognized. César E. Chávez is one of the most important leaders of the 20^th century. The legacy of his struggle for worker rights, civil rights, environmental justice, equality for all, peace, non-violence and women and children’s rights deserves national recognition. He inspired millions of people of all races and nationalities to seek equality, justice and dignity for all Americans.   

The call for a national holiday honoring César E. Chávez ’s life and his devotion to social and economic justice has garnered widespread support from over 250 organizations, elected officials and celebrities nationwide. To date, several organizations and labor unions in 43 cities and 26 states have agreed to hold events in 2008, on or around March 31^st, the date of César E. Chávez ’s birthday, to call for a national holiday in his honor. 

Carlos Santana, Martin Sheen and Edward James Olmos have agreed to Co-Chair the effort to win national recognition for César E. Chávez . Santana, Sheen and Olmos supported Chávez during the historic movement to win rights for farm workers in California in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Their participation in the current effort to honor Chavez coincides with the organizing of national actions and events in support of the national holiday to be held on March 31 of this year. 

In acknowledgement of your commitment to your communities and your activism, LCLAA would like to encourage you to join in helping advance the efforts to establish a national holiday for César E. Chávez.  Help C.E.C National Holiday demonstrate that there is widespread support for the national holiday in as many cities as possible so that our national policy makers will be moved to act! 

The life and memory of this labor and social justice leader must live on and you can help to immortalize him in time and in the memories of all Americans now and for many generations to come.

To Get Involved:

You can help the efforts by organizing an action or event in your city on March 31^st, 2008, or by joining an event that will be held in your area.

-Join the wave of actions

-Organize an event in your area

-Endorse the March 31^st, 2008 national effort! 

For more information contact
C.E.C. National Holiday Executive Director
Evelina Alarcon at 323.333.7589
e-mail at EvelinaAlarcon@cesarchavezholiday.org
www.cesarchavezholiday.org

or

Andrea Delgado
Labor and Advocacy Fellow
National LCLAA Office
202-508-6919
adelgado@lclaa.org