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Voz Hispana celebrates Cesar Chavez Day
PCUN and MEChA march in Corvallis

Voz Hispana Celebrates Cesar Chavez Day
“The efforts of one person change the lives of many others,” was the theme of this year’s Fifth Annual César Chávez Day celebration, held at Woodburn High School on April 16th. Drawn from a quote by the farm worker leader, these words were inscribed on a banner and displayed behind the podium, at which various speakers took their turns speaking of the inspiration and determination that Chávez’ memory invokes.

Over the past five years, the celebration, first organized by the Latino community group Voz Hispana, has grown exponentially to include the participation of numerous other organizations and students. This year’s event was organized by Voz Hispana, the Woodburn Education Association, Woodburn School District, and La Unidad Chavista de América (LUChA), a Latino youth group at Woodburn High School. Local businesses also generously donated raffle prizes, such as gift certificates to Mexican restaurants and beauty salons, as well as services such as oil changes and tire alignments.

“This has become a community-wide event that celebrates both Chávez’ legacy and the diversity that makes Woodburn unique. The participation of so many different organizations and people shows what a unifying force Chávez’ memory is, and proves that he truly is a hero for all people,” said Juan Argumedo, director of Voz Hispana.

The event began with speeches by local, state, and national officials. A welcome was given by Walt Blomberg, Superintendent of Woodburn Public Schools, and by Laura Lanka, Principal of Woodburn High School. Later in the program, Woodburn Mayor Kathy Figley, and Betty Komp, second-time candidate for State Representative from District 22, also spoke.

The audience cheered for Guadalupe Quinn, a Eugene activist, who reported on a successful campaign to name a Eugene elementary school after Chávez. It is the first school in the state to bear his name.

“César Chávez is a hero for all Americans,” said U.S. Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D-OR). “His life and legacy should unite us in our common humanity.”

Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury drew applause when he announced plans to promote voter education in different languages. “As Oregon’s Secretary of State, I am inspired by César Chávez’ commitment to ensuring that everyone in the United States has the opportunity to participate in our democracy,” he said. “We must make sure that language is not a barrier to voting. Every person’s vote should be heard here in Oregon.” He encouraged voters to contact a bilingual hotline with any voting questions, and announced his plan to work extensively with grassroots organizations such as Voz Hispana to inform new voters of their rights.

The 400 people who attended the event were also treated to an evening of cultural performances. The student band Horizontes opened the event with popular Mexican tunes, and the Woodburn High School mariachi band performed traditional songs. Mexican folk dances were performed by a combined group of dancers from Woodburn and Eugene who captured the audience’s attention with their swirling white skirts and the brightly colored flowers in their hair. Equally charming were the performances by a children’s dance group.

Raffles and the distribution of prizes for student artwork depicting Chávez also interspersed the nearly three-hour program, which was emceed by Voz Hispana member Jesús Morales, and by members of LUChA.

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PCUN and MEChA march in Corvallis
Despite the rain and cold weather, a march for farmworkers’ rights, held in Corvallis on Friday, March 26th, drew close to 700 participants. The march, organized jointly by PCUN, Oregon’s farmworker union, and MEChA, the Mexican-American student organization, was held in conjunction with the MEChA National Conference, taking place at Oregon State University.

Participants rallied and marched through Corvallis calling for justice for farmworkers and immigration reform. They demanded the passage of the DREAM Act, which would legalize undocumented high school graduates and allow them to attend college, and stood in solidarity with the struggles of farmworkers not only in Oregon but also throughout the country. PCUN representatives were joined by Erik Nicholson, of the United Farmworkers of America’s (UFW) Washington office, and by Francisca Cortez and Brian Payne, of the Florida-based Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW).

In honor of the CIW’s long-standing boycott of Taco Bell, the main purchaser of Florida tomatoes, marchers paused briefly in front of a Taco Bell restaurant chanting “Boycott Taco Bell.” The CIW is calling on Taco Bell to pay one penny more per pound of tomatoes purchased in order to raise workers’ wages, and to pressure tomato growers to improve the working conditions in the fields.

Marchers, most of whom were MEChA members, as well as PCUN members and supporters, stayed in good spirits for the two-mile long march, cheering and chanting and passing cars honked their support. Other organizations represented included Jobs with Justice, Oregon Farmworker Ministry, Latinos Unidos Siempre, and the Farmworker Housing Development Corporation.

This march represents the first time PCUN and MEChA have collaborated on such an event, and the first time PCUN has held a march in Corvallis. After working hard to bring the MEChA National Conference to the Northwest, students decided to reach out to PCUN to bring the struggle for farmworkers’ rights to the forefront at the conference.

MEChA, which promotes higher education and community involvement for Mexican-American youth, has a long history of supporting the struggle for farmworkers’ and immigrants’ rights.

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Drawn from a quote by the farm worker leader, these words were inscribed on a banner and displayed behind the podium, at which various speakers took their turns speaking of the inspiration and determination that Chávez’ memory invokes. Over the past five years, the celebration, first organized by the Latino community group Voz Hispana, has grown exponentially to include the participation of numerous other organizations and students. This year’s event was organized by Voz Hispana, the Woodburn Education Association, Woodburn School District, and La Unidad Chavista de América (LUChA), a Latino youth group at Woodburn High School. Local businesses also generously donated raffle prizes, such as gift certificates to Mexican restaurants and beauty salons, as well as services such as oil changes and tire alignments. “This has become a community-wide event that celebrates both Chávez’ legacy and the diversity that makes Woodburn unique. The participation of so many different organizations and people shows what a unifying force Chávez’ memory is, and proves that he truly is a hero for all people,” said Juan Argumedo, director of Voz Hispana. The event began with speeches by local, state, and national officials. A welcome was given by Walt Blomberg, Superintendent of Woodburn Public Schools, and by Laura Lanka, Principal of Woodburn High School. Later in the program, Woodburn Mayor Kathy Figley, and Betty Komp, second-time candidate for State Representative from District 22, also spoke. The audience cheered for Guadalupe Quinn, a Eugene activist, who reported on a successful campaign to name a Eugene elementary school after Chávez. It is the first school in the state to bear his name. “César Chávez is a hero for all Americans,” said U.S. Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D-OR). “His life and legacy should unite us in our common humanity.” Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury drew applause when he announced plans to promote voter education in different languages. “As Oregon’s Secretary of State, I am inspired by César Chávez’ commitment to ensuring that everyone in the United States has the opportunity to participate in our democracy,” he said. “We must make sure that language is not a barrier to voting. Every person’s vote should be heard here in Oregon.” He encouraged voters to contact a bilingual hotline with any voting questions, and announced his plan to work extensively with grassroots organizations such as Voz Hispana to inform new voters of their rights. The 400 people who attended the event were also treated to an evening of cultural performances. The student band Horizontes opened the event with popular Mexican tunes, and the Woodburn High School mariachi band performed traditional songs. Mexican folk dances were performed by a combined group of dancers from Woodburn and Eugene who captured the audience’s attention with their swirling white skirts and the brightly colored flowers in their hair. Equally charming were the performances by a children’s dance group. Raffles and the distribution of prizes for student artwork depicting Chávez also interspersed the nearly three-hour program, which was emceed by Voz Hispana member Jesús Morales, and by members of LUChA. BACK TO TOP PCUN and MEChA march in Corvallis Despite the rain and cold weather, a march for farmworkers’ rights, held in Corvallis on Friday, March 26th, drew close to 700 participants. The march, organized jointly by PCUN, Oregon’s farmworker union, and MEChA, the Mexican-American student organization, was held in conjunction with the MEChA National Conference, taking place at Oregon State University. Participants rallied and marched through Corvallis calling for justice for farmworkers and immigration reform. They demanded the passage of the DREAM Act, which would legalize undocumented high school graduates and allow them to attend college, and stood in solidarity with the struggles of farmworkers not only in Oregon but also throughout the country. PCUN representatives were joined by Erik Nicholson, of the United Farmworkers of America’s (UFW) Washington office, and by Francisca Cortez and Brian Payne, of the Florida-based Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW). In honor of the CIW’s long-standing boycott of Taco Bell, the main purchaser of Florida tomatoes, marchers paused briefly in front of a Taco Bell restaurant chanting “Boycott Taco Bell.” The CIW is calling on Taco Bell to pay one penny more per pound of tomatoes purchased in order to raise workers’ wages, and to pressure tomato growers to improve the working conditions in the fields. Marchers, most of whom were MEChA members, as well as PCUN members and supporters, stayed in good spirits for the two-mile long march, cheering and chanting and passing cars honked their support. Other organizations represented included Jobs with Justice, Oregon Farmworker Ministry, Latinos Unidos Siempre, and the Farmworker Housing Development Corporation. This march represents the first time PCUN and MEChA have collaborated on such an event, and the first time PCUN has held a march in Corvallis. After working hard to bring the MEChA National Conference to the Northwest, students decided to reach out to PCUN to bring the struggle for farmworkers’ rights to the forefront at the conference. MEChA, which promotes higher education and community involvement for Mexican-American youth, has a long history of supporting the struggle for farmworkers’ and immigrants’ rights. BACK TO TOP
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