Fernando F. Chavez will kick off Cesar Chavez Celebration Week on
Monday, March 29, in the Grand River Room of the Kirkhof Center at the
Allendale Campus. Chavez's speech will begin at noon and focus on
memories of his father, the importance of service learning and
fostering civic responsibility.
It will be Fernando's first public speech since his father died
in 1993. Chavez founded the first successful farm workers' union and
later served as president of the United Farm Workers of America,
AFL-CIO. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
and the Aztec Eagle (Mexicos highest award).
Following Fernando Chavezs speech, campus organizations
will host an Advocacy Rally at the Cook-DeWitt Plaza from 1-4 p.m.
Tables with information on various social issues will be staffed.
Other Chavez week events include:
March 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Kirkhof Center lobby.
Ofrenda a Chavez (ofrenda means offering in Spanish) will
honor a tradition with alters set up to honor the memory of ancestors
and to please the returning souls as they return from the dead. A
short video about the harsh lives of migrant workers will also be
shown.
March 31, 11:50 a.m.-2p.m.
Silent march beginning at Zumberge Library through campus to
Kirkhof Center. Reception to honor Chavez's birthday follows in Grand
River Room with speaker Elias Vasquez, issue specialist for Gov.
Granholm.
April 1, 8 p.m.: Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center.
Poetry Slam Competition. Students compete by reading writings and
poems about diversity and cultural awareness.
April 2, 12 noon-1 p.m.: Kirkhof Center, rooms 215/216
Welcome to the U.S.! New Immigration Policy Panel Discussion.
Community panelists will discuss President Bushs immigration
plan, which would give legal status to some foreign workers.
C¿sar Chavez week events are sponsored by Grand Valley's Office
of Multicultural Affairs, Latino Student Union, Latin American Studies
and many other organizations.
