12th Cesar Chavez Commemorative Celebration

The 12th Annual Cesar Chavez Commemorative Celebration, presented by El Centro Chicano, MEChA and the Chavez Commemoration Committee, recognizes the influential role that faith, spirituality and non-violence has played in the fight for farm worker's rights. The night will feature keynote speaker, Monsignor Eugene Boyle, a retired priest of the Diocese of San Jose, and Chair Emeritus of the Interfaith Council on Religion, Race, Economic and Social Justice of Santa Clara County.

Keynote Speaker

Father Boyle, a longtime friend of Mr. Chavez has been an active and vocal supporter of the farm worker cause, as well as civil rights and other social justice issues. In 1973 Father Boyle was arrested along with other clergy in support the UFW boycott and spent two weeks in a Fresno County jail. As the founder and first chairperson of the Commission on Social Justice, Archdiocese of San Francisco, Father Boyle organized efforts to enhance the education and development of strategies in the area of civil rights for parishes and organizations. Father Boyle will address the role of Cesar Chavez 's faith and spirituality in connection with his commitment to the principles of non-violence.

Cesar Chavez Art and Essay Contest

The program will also showcase winners of the Cesar Chavez Art and Essay for local elementary, middle and high school students. Current Stanford freshman, Rebecca Perez of Gilroy, CA was a winner of the 1999 contest.

Rebecca remembers the impact of the contest on her and her family, “Not only was I able to express how Cesar Chavez's struggles helped create a better working environment for my family, attending the Commemoration to read my essay exposed my family and me to the Stanford campus for the very first time. Winning the contest gave me the inspiration to work hard, so that one day I would be able to attend Stanford. Without this visit, I may have never thought of Stanford as a possibility.”

Pendejo Heaven by Pablo Rodriguez

The evening will culminate with a performance of "Pendejo Heaven" by Pablo Rodriguez. Rodriguez's one-man show, was inspired by Jose Antonio Burciaga's "Drink Cultura" and developed at La Pena Cultural Center de Berkeley. His autobiographical show explores the challenges of chasing the dream of being both an artist and a community leader, having been born in Mexico, as well as the hardships and triumphs of various other life experiences.