CA Greens Celebrate Chavez Legacy
Green Party of California
www.cagreens.org
Released Friday, March 30, 2007
Contact: Susan King, spokesperson, 415.823-5524 funking@mindspring.com
Dr. Bob Vizzard, spokesperson, 916.206 8953, thevizz@aol.com
Sara Amir, spokesperson, 310.270-7106 saraamir@earthlink.net
Cres Vellucci, press secretary, 916.996-9170 civillib@cwnet.com
California Greens celebrate Cesar Chavez legacy as Latino leader and his non-violent struggle for social
justice; Greens also note some state schools avoid holiday
SACRAMENTO, Ca. (March 30, 2007) - The Green Party of California joins with
other political organizations and the people of California, and the nation,
to commemorate the life of farm labor leader Cesar Chavez celebrated today
(Friday) through this weekend with marches and other events throughout the
state. March 31 is a holiday in eight states.
Nativo Lopez, a member of the Green party and president of the Mexican
American Political Association, has stated that Cesar Chavez has guided
generations of social justice activists.
"Cesar was the greatest advocate within the Latino community for the
principles of non-cooperation and non-violence to fight for social justice. His legacy lives on with the thousands of labor and social activists he
mentored," said Lopez, who joined the Green Party several years ago, and
urged other Latino organizations to do the same because he said Greens
represent the best hope for them.
Greens also noted that many schools in the state have avoided honoring
Cesar Chavez Day by refusing to close on Friday, despite protests by Latino
leaders. There was a walk-out early Friday by students in East LA and other
southern California schools.
"We are concerned, as echoed by Latino activists in Berkeley where the
school district refuses to honor the holiday, that although Cesar Chavez
Day has been a state holiday for seven years, it is not recognized as it
should be - as an important day to honor a Latino civil rights activist,"
said Cres Vellucci, a MAPA member, and GPCA press secretary. He said many
schools do honor the holiday, including those in San Francisco and Oakland.