Bakersfield College’s M.E.Ch.A. (Movimiento estudiantil de chicanos/chicanas de Aztlan) dedicated a plaque for Cesar E. Chavez on March 31.

In 2005, two trees were planted between the business and humanities buildings dedicated to Dolores Huerta and Chavez. “The trees are just there, and nobody knows who they are for, so we needed something there,” said Anallely Vega, M.E.Ch.A. president.

Since early Fall 2008, the group has been trying to get an approval from the custodians and grounds to get the plaque framed on the ground and has been approved. Because it has been taking so long, the members decided to have a ceremony still on said date. “Around the summer, we are hoping to have it framed,” said Vega. The event ceremony involved a speech by Camilla Chavez, the granddaughter of Chavez and folkloric dancers. The original location for the event was on the college’s Campus Center but because of construction, they had to move it to the free speech area. Pablo Zavala, criminal justice major and M.E.Ch.A. member, said the event started at noon and ended shortly after. Though it ended shortly, members believed it was a successful event.

“We as individuals had things going on in our life, but at the last minute, we all came together,” said Vega. “It turned out very well.”

“We had some malfunctions but it all came together,” said Zavala. The group requested the BC sound system but only got a microphone stand and a speaker. According to Vega, the rest of their sound equipment and speakers came from other M.E.Ch.A members and the folkloric dancers.

M.E.Ch.A. is currently supporting the DQ University and assisting the South Central Farms. DQU is the only indigenous school in California and is about to get closed. Members go to the university to avoid closure. The South Central Farms are a group of Los Angeles residents who come to Shafter to pick up vegetables. These vegetables are pesticide-free and are sold back to the Los Angeles residents. For more information, e-mail [email protected].