BY Annika Lynch

Staff Reporter

The Center for Leadership and Community Engagement (CLCE) put together a three-day event last week celebrating and remembering the life of Cesar Chavez.

The CLCE and the Center for Diversity and Social Justice (CDSJ), decided to host the event during spring quarter, as Chavez’s birthday was during spring break.

“Its time to dance and have fun so lets enjoy the party,” Jamese Johnson, CDSJ office assistant, said.

Central freshman Matthew Anderson attended the birthday celebration.  He thought it was nice for people in the community to remember the historical figure, and also enjoy some food.

Manuel Rodriguez, CLCE director, helped put on the event. Coming from a migrant farming background, he feels his family has a personal connection to this event.  Additionally, Ellensburg is a major agriculture and farming community.

Growing up, Rodriguez’s parents wanted him to finish school and get a better career for himself – a luxury his parents did not have.

“I want to be able to help farmers, or children of farmers, pursue their education and careers [that] would help their own farm working families,” Rodriguez said.

Cesar Chavez was born in Yuma, Arizona in 1927 and was a farm worker. He became a civil rights activist by forming unions and fighting for the rights of farm workers. As cofounder of the National Farm Workers Association, Chavez’s personal struggle  went nation wide.

On April 23 in Black Hall, there was a showing of the film “Chavez’s Last Fast.” The film focused on his 36 day fast to protest against working conditions for farm workers. They showed this to honor Chavez’s sacrifice for the migrant farming community.

On April 24 in the Music Building, Central Alumni Jose Iniguez performed a combination of opera and mariachi music. Iniguez has pursued a career as an opera singer and brings his pianist with him all over the world.

Joseph Bauman, CLCE intern, was involved in this event because he has an agricultural background. He said Iniguez gave a fantastic performance and he felt  it was an honor to be there.

“It’s very easy to become complacent in today’s day and age; it is truly the brave who stand up and make their voices heard,” Beamare said.

The CLCE hopes to make the three-day Cesar Chavez remembrance an annual event. Rodriguez and his staff want people from the community to be aware of the sacrifices and labor movements Cesar Chavez started to help the migrant and agricultural communities.

“I think it is really important to probably attend some of the events to get familiar to what can be done today or what is happening now,” Rodriguez said.