Colleagues,

César E. Chávez National Holiday is a US federal commemorative holiday celebrated on César Chávez’s birthday, March 31st. This marked the first time that a labor leader or Latino has been honored with a public legal holiday.

César Chávez was working full time at an orchard when he first began organizing labor professionally. He helped thousands of workers register to vote and fought for the rights of Latino workers. He quickly became a full-time community organizer.

César Chávez was the face and heart of the push to allow farm workers the right to unionize. He and the farm workers faced violent union-busting tactics from the grape growers during this process. Some workers were even arrested or shot.

César Chávez fasted to bring attention to his cause. Taking inspiration from the nonviolent heroes who inspired him, Chávez used long fasts to protest violence against farm workers who were trying to unionize and to bring attention to the dangerous work conditions workers faced from pesticides and long hours in the sun. His most well-known fast was a 36-day Fast For Life, which focused on the dangers of pesticides to workers, their children, and consumers.

The Grape Strike was the largest strike in the history of US labor. It lasted five years and ended in major growers signing union contracts.

Today, César Chávez Day brings together hundreds of thousands who engage in celebrations, service and learning projects, and other actions that further the many causes which Cesar Chavez worked for.

Learn more at: https://chavezfoundation.org/about-cesar-chavez/

Read about President Biden’s Cesar Chavez Day Proclamation: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/03/30/a-proclamation-on-cesar-chavez-day-2022/

Best Regards,
The SJSU IT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee