Cesar Chavez’ film to screen for Farm Workers, in Oxnard

(Oxnard, CA)  On 3/30/14 at 9:00am, farm workers, community members, local elected representatives and officials will gather at the local elementary school that carries the name of the farm worker union icon whose movie will be released this weekend nationwide.  Farm workers, community members, and leaders will meet at Cesar Chavez Elementary, in Oxnard’s La Colonia neighborhood, before they proceed with an annual march in honor of the civil rights leader.  It is expected that hundreds of people will gather and participate in the events.

The film, directed by Diego Luna and starring Michael Pena as Chavez, is set in the 10 years surrounding the grape boycotts that began in the Kern County farm town in the 1960s.

The Oxnard Viva Cesar Chavez Memorial Committee has been working for months to coordinate a weekend of events around the premier of the long-awaited film depicting the life, movement, and spirit of Cesar Chavez.

“Community members want to keep Chavez’s legacy alive and strong.  This premier is a celebration of the work he did, and the movement he helped lead.  For us, we are honored.  Cesar Chavez’s devotion to organizing started here in Oxnard – his roots are deep, and spirit still alive and strong, “ said Javier Gomez, a lead organizer for the committee.

Farm workers and public will gather at Cesar Chavez Elementary for a march that will take the crowd through La Colonia neighborhood, over the Third Street Bridge and to the Plaza Theaters in Downtown Oxnard, where they will walk in together for the local premier.  “No where else in the country, are farm workers and community marching through their community and into a theater for the premier. That visual alone, is powerful,” said Miguel Lopez who is assisting the committee coordinate the events planned.

It is also expected that Dolores Huerta who co-founded the UFW with Chavez, will join the community for the local premier. Huerta, who spoke at Ventura College yesterday, received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2011 for her work as a civil rights advocate and labor leader who fought for farm workers rights alongside César Chavez. She has been traveling the country to promote the film, and has previously attended the annual Cesar Chavez Marches in Oxnard.

“On behalf of the UFW, it’s is an honor to work with the Oxnard Viva Cesar Chavez committee.  The committee is honoring Cesar Chavez’s legacy by organizing a weekend of marching, and ‘Cesar Chavez’ movie screenings. Through the committee’s work, thousands will participate here in Oxnard, become inspired, and continue to organize to realize the Chavez’s dream,” said Roman Pinal, UFW Regional Director, here in Oxnard.

Sunday, March 30, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. at 224 Juanita Oxnard, CA 93030, Cesar Chavez School. The event is put on by  Hundreds of Farm Workers, local elected representatives and community members.

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