Advocates Urge Obama to Name National Day of Service to Honor Cesar Chavez Tony Castro - VOXXI
go to original February 7, 2014

Cesar Chavez, right, in 1972 is portrayed in film for the first time by Michael Pena, left, in "Cesar Chavez: An American Hero" directed by Diego Luna. (movieclipsTRAILERS)

Cesar Chavez, President of United Farm workers of America, AFL-CIO, gestures while speaking at the Community Church of Boston Sunday, April 13, 1986 where he was awarded the Sacco-Vanzetti Memorial Award. The award recognizes Chavez’ contributions to social justice. (AP Photo/Mary Lee)

Hispanic advocates are calling on President Barack Obama to designate a national day of service on March 31 honoring Cesar Chavez in a move that could join Latino activism and Hollywood glamour at the opening of the new film about the late farm labor leader.

Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, Chavez’s birthday, is already an official state holiday in California, Colorado and Texas.

Although the date is not a federal holiday, President Obama in the past has proclaimed it as Cesar Chavez Day in the United States, urging Americans “observe this day with appropriate service, community, and educational programs to honor Cesar Chavez’s enduring legacy.”

But the Cesar Chavez Foundation has been campaigning for more — to have the Latino legend’s birthday memorialized as a national day of service, claiming more than 100,000 have signed a petition asking the president to proclaim the holiday.

The movement comes as Hollywood prepares for the premiere of director Diego Luna’s long-awaited film of Chavez, starring Michael Pena, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson and John Malkovich.

That film, “Cesar Chavez: An American Hero,” officially opens on March 28.

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