UFW co-founder Cesar Chavez celebrated with multiday event at Fresno State

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the United Farm Workers’ march from Delano to Sacramento, Fresno State will host a celebration of labor activist Cesar Chavez from Monday through Wednesday with events including a photo display, movie screenings and a visit from Chavez’s son, Paul.

The celebration starts with a blood drive Monday at the Fresno State campus, near the Speakers Platform and the United Student Union building. Refreshments will be provided and the first 100 donors will receive a T-shirt and Yogurtland sample.

Photos documenting the 50 years since the UFW strike and national grape boycott will be on display on the second floor of the Henry Madden library from Monday to Friday.

Two movies will be screened in room 191 of the University Business Center during the three-day event. “Delano Mongolos,” a documentary about the involvement of Filipinos in the farmworker movement, will be screened from 5:30 to 7 p.m Monday. A screening of “Cesar’s Last Fast,” a documentary about how Chavez risked his life for the movement with a hunger strike, and a panel discussion will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

On Wednesday, a ceremony will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Peace Garden at the Cesar Chavez monument, a 9-foot-tall bronze statue of Chavez that was unveiled in March 1996. From 11 to 11:45 a.m., there will be a broadcast by Radio La Campesina, followed by a performance by Mexican folk dance troupe Danzantes de Aztlán.

The opening of the ceremony begins at noon, followed by the singing of the national anthem and remarks by Fresno State President Joseph Castro and others.

Cesar Chavez Foundation president and chairman Paul Chavez and Filipino historian and activist Alex Fabros will speak as well. Pan dulce and paletas (sweet bread and ice cream) will be available as refreshments.

The multiday event is sponsored by the Cross Cultural and Gender Center, College Assistance Migrant Program, Radio La Campesina, the Cesar Chavez Foundation, the United Farm Workers and other organizations.

Parking is available in green lots with the code 629619. For more information, contact Ofelia Gamez at 559-278-4768 or ofeliag@csufresno.edu.

This story was originally published March 26, 2016 at 12:50 PM with the headline "UFW co-founder Cesar Chavez celebrated with multiday event at Fresno State."