14TH ANNUAL CESAR CHAVEZ PILGRIMAGE MARCH AND CELEBRATION
Theme: Our Community Voice Matters -Vote With Our Feet and at the Ballot Box: Support Ethnic Studies, Immigrant Rights, Minimum Wage, and Funding for Education
What: 14th Annual Cesar Chavez Pilgrimage, with a program of speakers, live music and food
When: Saturday, April 9, 2016; 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 PM
Where: starting at 9:30 a.m. at Pomona School District Headquarters (800 S. Garey Ave.) with noted community speakers and followed with a pilgrimage walk to Garey High School (321 W. Lexington Ave., Pomona, Ca) where a celebration will take place from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Open to the Public).
Starting at 9:30 A. M. at Pomona School District Headquarters (800 S. Garey Ave.) at the site of a 300-year-old tree to celebrate and listen to speakers who represent the wisdom of the elders on some of the issues affecting our communities. Followed by a march led by Danza Grupo Toyaacan to Garey High School where a young tree will be planted and where youth speakers will share words on the issues affecting them. A snake dance, afterward, involving everyone, will brings together the diverse generations in a snake dance symbolizing the unity that is needed between the various generations in overcoming obstacles to advance a more just and equal society.
(Pomona, CA) – A coalition of local leaders, parents, students, teachers, and community groups will honor civil rights leader Cesar Chavez with the 14th Annual Community Pilgrimage, commemorating the pilgrimages that Chavez led to highlight the issues of social justice in our diverse communities. The pilgrimage honors the birthday of Cesar Chavez on March 31 and also the day he passed away, on April 23, as part of continuing a legacy of advancing human rights, peace, and social justice in the region. As in previous years, a ceremony at 9:30 A. M. in front of the PUSD Administrative Offices, will include elder leaders from the community who will honor a 300-year old tree, symbolizing respect for our elders and the sacredness of the environment (including PUSD Superintendent Richard Martinez, Bishop Herbert Wilkins, Jeanette Royston from the NAACP, Tony Cerda from the Ohlone Tribe, and Angela Sanbrano from the Latino/a Roundtable). After, a pilgrimage walk will make its way to Garey High School where a small tree will be planted and various speakers will speak on the importance of ensuring the development of our future leaders, our young people (including Cesar Chavez’s grandson Andres Chavez, Garey High School principal Stacey Wilkins, Garey High School Stand-out Karina Aguilar, and Mt. Sac Student Government leaders Fabian Pavon and Alejandro Juarez. Scholarships will be presented to students who best represent the principles and values of community engagement. The entertainment will include the Son Real Band, Danza Azteca Toyaacan, Le Chic Filipino Dance Group, VOM Dance Group , Singer Paola La Portanguila, and Lincoln High Ballet Folklorico. Food will be available for purchase with all the proceeds going to student scholarships.
Sponsors: Latino/Latina Roundtable; Pomona Unified School District, PUSD Parents, University of LaVerne, Cal Poly Cesar Chavez Center for Higher Education; Mount Sac Associated Students; Culture Shock Club, Psychology Club, M. E. C. H. A., D. B. A. Club, BSU Club, CSULB: Lambda That Phi Ltin Fraternity; Mote Vista UU Congregation, Senator Connie M. Leyva, Frank Guzman, Cardenas, La Cachanilla, NAACP, Pomona Valley Branch 1085B, IDEAS, NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, Encuentros Organization, Rural and Urban Social Movements class, Pitzer Latino Student Union, Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, Pomona Inland Valley Martin Luther King Jr. Project, UFCW 1428, Fairplex, Pomona Premiere
