“What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!” chanted more that 600 protesters gathered in the Martin Luther King Park on an early afternoon March 31 to celebrate Cesar Chavez’s birthday and demand justice.
La Campesina radio station began to set up their equipment at 9 a.m. and the California Correctional Peace Officers Association began setting up at the same time. People began showing at 10 a.m. for the noon march.
Arturo Salvador Rodriguez, president of the United Farm Workers, attended the Bakersfield march to honor Cesar Chavez’s birthday because he knew him personally. He said there are still many conditions that have not been taken care of.
For example, the wages seem to stay low for farm workers and are being ignored by the big companies. Rodriguez got into the Chavez family by marrying one of his daughters. “These were the best years of my life,” said Rodriguez, who has been involved with the UFW since 1973.
Out of all the places in the United States, Rodriguez picked Bakersfield.
“I love Bakersfield and the people because they are hard working people,” he said.
Making better working conditions is not only for farm workers, but also for factory workers, mine workers, construction workers, and any other similar jobs, he said.
“We continue to remember Chavez’s work because a lot of people still need help,” he said.
Armando Elenes, who organized the march, spoke about the reasons why March 31 is an important date. The executive director of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, Camila Chavez, spoke about a future march, which will be on April 29 in Lamont.
A couple of other leaders spoke about Chavez and one of them was Congressman Howard Berman.
Berta Gomez came along with her family of seven members, including a little boy named Alonzo Avila, 3.
“Si se puedo” said little Avila holding a small American flag.
Gomez heard about this event on the radio.
“We came for better justice,” said Gomez, “and we will support our people, even though we are U.S. citizens. We are here to help”
At nearly 1 p.m., the public was beginning to form a line to begin the protest. At 1 p.m., the line began to march east toward the MLK pool and go south on South Owens Street and East 10th street.
The march went on through different streets where many bystanders watched as the protesters walked in front of their houses.
Chants like “si se puede” and “the people united will never be divided” kept people active throughout the march.
Amelia Olivas, 37, watched the protest in front of their house and then joined the protest.
Olivas came along with six of her sons who which celebrate Cesar Chavez’s birthday each year.
Olivas’ father worked in security for Chavez and met Chavez whenever he came by her family’s house. Her mother was also intimately involved with the UFW.
After Olivas’ mother passed away, she got a tattoo on her right arm of the UFW flag with the words “In Loving Memory Esther.”
She also has a flag of a combination of the American Federation of Labor- Congress of Industrial Unions and the UFW with autographs of different group leaders.
“The dispute right now is nationalization and to have his birthday (Chavez) as a legal holiday. One day the legalization will come true,” said Olivas.
After an hour of walking through streets, the march peacefully ended back at MLK Park. More speeches were given by Arturo Rodriguez and Armando Elenes. There was also a live band that played for the crowd.
“I want to encourage all Bakersfield College students to study and work hard and go out to help the community because each and every one of you can make a difference. It’s better for the community and for the people who need help,” Rodriguez said.