Fund-Raiser Honors Chavez’s Memory

It was a stark black-and-white photo looking almost out of place amid the spectrum of color and festive performances.

The furrowed brow and the sad eyes combined with a look of grit, determination and purpose.

In life, it was simplicity that captured the essence of Cesar Chavez--the man, the human rights leader and a founder of the United Farm Workers union.

On Sunday, Chavez--whose image was positioned at the base of the stage--was the posthumous guest of honor during an afternoon show in the San Fernando High School auditorium. The event was a fund-raiser for the venue, which will be rededicated in Chavez’s honor in April.

Under threatening skies that gave way to a steady drizzle, the event still managed to draw more than 600 people--including Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, L.A. City Councilman Alex Padilla and San Fernando Mayor Jose Hernandez.

Inside the auditorium, the spectators were treated to a mariachi band, a group of folk dancers and legendary Latin composer and performer Lalo Guerrero, whose showmanship had the crowd clapping and laughing.

Proceeds from the event will be used to place Chavez’s name on the school auditorium and for new lettering, a mural and a plaque. The project is expected to cost $10,000.

Christine Chavez, granddaughter of the civil rights champion, said she was touched by the people who turned out for the fund-raiser and the power of her grandfather’s legacy in the northeast San Fernando Valley. “For me and my family, it makes us very proud,” she said. “I think it’s a way to get people involved. It’s a way for people to organize.”

Cesar Chavez became an international symbol of the plight of Mexican Americans in the 1960s. The Navy veteran began organizing farm workers in 1949.

He became a national figure after forming a forerunner of the United Farm Workers in 1962 and launching a grape boycott, which led to the first-ever union contract for the predominately Latino field workers.

On Sunday, the importance of Chavez’s efforts were not lost on the performers and others who volunteered their time and equipment for the cause.

“It’s the person behind the name that makes the name so important,” said Pacoima resident Irene Castrellon, who came with her husband and five daughters. “It’s their roots, It’s their heritage.”