Saturday, April 2, 2005, 9 a.m. in East L.A.
Thousands walk to honor Cesar Chavez
 

People from across the state will join together to honor a legendary Californian on Saturday, April 2 in East Los Angeles at the 7th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Walk. The event's goal is to educate continuing generations about Chavez's life and promote his message of social justice and non-violence.

UFW President Arturo Rodriguez will walk alongside Helen Chavez, Cesar Chavez's widow, other Chavez family members, thousands of young people—including 25 buses of K-12 students from 30 area schools—as well as elected officials, unions and community activists.

Entertainers in attendance include Mexican regional banda music stars Ezequiel Pena (Fonovisa), “the new charro of Mexico” who will bring his Andalusian show horses, and Rogelio Martinez (Fonovisa) along with Hollywood celebrities Mike Gomez (“The Reading Room” and “Locusts”), Ed Begley Jr. (“Six Feet Under”, “Jack and Bobby”), Luis Avalos (“Jack & Bobby” & “Paquito's Christmas”),Sal Lopez (“Luminarias”), Evelina Fernandez (“Luminarias”) and Geoffrey Rivas (CSI, Mirror). Jae P (Univision), the new urban regional music phenomenon, will perform a live rendition of his conscious bilingual hip hop and there will be music from one of the hottest Chicano bands in L.A., “Quinto Sol.”

After a brief welcome, participants will walk a five-kilometer route through surrounding neighborhoods before returning for free music and entertainment. The walk takes place two days after the observance of Cesar Chavez Day, March 31 (an official state holiday) where students throughout California learn about the Chavez in the classroom and participate in community service projects.

“The best tribute to Cesar Chavez is the thousands of young people who will walk to show their commitment to continue his legacy," says UFW President Rodriguez.

For more information on the walk, contact Felicia Montes, event coordinator, at 323-722-0118 or visit www.ufw.org/la.htm.  To register and become an official walker go to: http://www.unionvoice.org/ufw/events/cecwla05/details.tcl. For media inquiries, contact Valerie Gutierrez, 626-255-3368 ufwmediarelations@gmail.com

Who: Thousands of students, community members, elected officials, entertainers, celebrities, UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, Helen Chavez and other Chavez family members.

What: 7th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Walk.

When: Program begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2005; walk immediately follows. Walkers return for program and festival at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Where: Field by East Los Angeles College Stadium, 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez (by Floral Dr. and Bleakwood) in East Los Angeles.

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Event Sponsors for the 7th Annual Cesar Chavez Walk include:

AARP, ABC7, KMEX, Telefutura, La Opinion, Super Estrella, Oye and Supervisor Gloria Molina