Sí Se Puede

"The only way I know how to organize people is to talk to one person, then talk to another person, then talk to another person." And that's how Cesar Chavez did it, convincing individuals to stand up for their rights -- including environmental justice -- until he had a movement. As co-founder of the United Farm Workers, his answer to anyone who said it couldn't be done was a simple and straightforward, "Sí se puede." Yes it can.

Cesar Chavez was born to a farm family in Yuma, Arizona on March 31, 1927. In honor of his memory, California Congresswoman Hilda Solis introduced the Cesar Estrada Chavez Study Act to authorize the Department of Interior to study significant lands in Chavez’s life for possible inclusion in the National Park Service. A similar bill was introduced in the Senate by Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

The Sierra Club wholeheartedly supports the Solis/McCain proposal as well as an effort to make March 31 a national holiday. To quote the official Sierra Club letter endorsing the designation:

Cesar E. Chavez' courageous life has inspired many to continue the fight for environmental justice, so our children and families have a stronger, healthier future. Chavez' legacy, like that of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., continues to educate, inspire and empower people from all walks of life, and should be celebrated through the establishment of a federally recognized Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday.

Can it be done? Sí, hermanos, se puede!