César Chávez Week Celebrates Education, Community Service

La Raza Law Student Association (LRLSA) will host César Chávez Week, a week of educational, community, and social activities honoring the legacy of the labor leader and civil rights activist from March 30-April 4.  Highlights of the week's activities include lectures by California Supreme Court Justice Carlos R. Moreno, Merced County Superior Court Judge Marc Garcia, and California Assemblymember Alberto Torrico, and a keynote address by California Democratic Party Chair Art Torres, a 1971 graduate of King Hall.

The LRLSA's theme for the week derives from a quote by César Chávez: "The end of all education should surely be service to others."  Kicking off the celebration will be a panel discussion on the subject featuring Blanca Banuelos, staff attorney for California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA); Becky Chávez, César Chávez's niece; Alegria De La Cruz, staff attorney, Center on Race, Poverty, & the Environment; and Eliana Kaimowitz Rodriguez, volunteer attorney with CRLA.  The discussion will take place in the Wilkins Moot Courtroom from 12-1 p.m. on March 30.

César Chávez Week events also will include presentations by pioneering Latino members of the judiciary, with Justice Carlos R. Moreno of the Supreme Court of California speaking on March 31 and Justice Marc A. Garcia, the first Latino appointed to a judgeship in the Merced County Superior Court, on April 1.  Both events will take place from 12-1 p.m. in the Wilkins Moot Courtroom. 

On April 2, Assemblymember Alberto Torrico, who represents the 20th District and serves as Majority Leader, will speak from 12-1 p.m. in the Wilkins Moot Courtroom.  The following day, the LRSLA and the King Hall Democrats will present distinguished California legislator and Chair of the California Democratic Party Art Torres, who will share his memories of King Hall and his experiences in politics and law from 12-1 p.m. on April 3 in the Wilkins Moot Courtroom.

César Chávez Week activities also include:

• "From the Homeroom to the Courtroom" on April 2, an event co-sponsored by the Law School Admission Council in which students from Sacramento High School will "shadow" King Hall students as a means of exploring the possibilities of a legal education.
• The Third Annual César Chávez Art Contest, which features artwork by students from César Chávez Elementary School in Davis on the theme of how they will use their education to help others. A reception with student art on display and light refreshments will be held to announce the winners on April 2 from 6-8 p.m. in the Mabie Law Library Lobby.
• Naturalization Workshop: Volunteers from LRLSA and CRLF will offer assistance to permanent legal residents seeking to become U.S. citizens at Dingle Elementary School in Woodland on April 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• "Fiesta!": an informal gathering featuring food, games, and a piñata, will take place in Mace Ranch Park in Davis on April 3 from 4-7 p.m.
• Spring Cleaning: throughout the week, LRSLA will be collecting new and lightly used clothing for young men and women who are being detained as a result of problems with their immigration status in the Yolo County Juvenile Hall. Clothing appropriate for court hearings is particularly needed.

For more information on César Chávez Week activities, please contact Natalie Mere ([email protected]) or Amparo Cid ([email protected]).