MARIN (California) INDEPENDENT JOURNAL

March 26, 2006

Canal honors Cesar Chavez

By Mark Prado, Marin Independent Journal

Sun, sprinkles and smiles were in abundance Saturday in San Rafael in the Canal neighborhood as hundreds turned out to celebrate the birthday of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.

"Cesar Chavez knew the power of the community and that's what we see here today," said Douglas Mundo Duran, director of the Canal Welcome Center, which helped put on Saturday's celebration. "This type event brings people together and unifies. That is important in times like now when we see people coming together and marching again."

Duran was referring to marches Friday and Saturday in major cities - including roughly 100,000 people in Los Angeles Saturday - spurred by current federal legislation to build more walls along the U.S.-Mexico border and make helping illegal immigrants a crime.

Chavez, a Mexican American labor activist and leader of the United Farm Workers, was 66 when he died in 1993. His birthday is Friday. During the 1960s and 1970s, he led the way on migrant farmworker rights and reform.

"He was an inspiration," Duran said.

On Saturday, the Canal community took time to honor Chavez, along with volunteers and leaders who have given time to improve the Canal neighborhood. Among those honored was the "Mayor of Canal," John Ortega.

"You are the strength of this neighborhood," San Rafael Councilman Cyr Miller told the crowd to applause. Miller also was honored.

The first-time Chavez celebration put on by the Welcome Center, held outdoors along Alto Street, began with a presentation of the Cesar Chavez Community School of Music and Arts. Also featured were traditional Mexican dishes, mariachi music, Yucatan folk dancers, children's dancing and art, all under skies that alternately provided sun and rain.

Participants also were given information on programs sponsored by the Welcome Center, which in four years has grown into a community force. Education, English as a second language courses, voting education, economic literacy, a mobile consulate and immigration forums are among the programs it sponsors.

"We are here to support the community, and the community supports us," Duran said.