The César Chávez Memorial
The César Chávez Memorial honors the legacy and work of the late farmworker leader. The construction of the memorial is the culmination of efforts by many community members who recognize Chavez's impact to promote justice and equity for all Americans.

The memorial will be developed on a 23,000 square foot area of land in the City of San Fernando. The concept for the memorial consists of four separate art pieces placed in a park setting. The City along with various community organizations sponsors an annual march in honor of Chávez. The City of San Fernando, preceding the State of California's decision, became the first in the nation to designate his birthday, March 31, an official holiday.

The memorial consists of four different elements, reflecting the life of César Chávez and the farmworkers struggle. A single life size statue of César Chávez is poised in front of a series of ten figures representing the farmworkers plight and eventual empowerment. Other features also designed by the artist include a fountain and mural. The fountain is in the shape of the United Farmworkers (UFW) eagle symbol, with the "César Chávez Prayer" inscribed on one side and a painting on the other side. The mural will be 100 feet in length and provides a visual chronology of Chávez's life.

The artist selected to design the Memorial, Ignacio Gomez, is a well-known community artist who has been involved in various art projects in Los Angeles and throughout the nation.

The Legacy of César Chávez
César Chávez, one of our country's most recognized civil rights leaders became a role model for the world and proved that one person could make a difference and impact the social conscience of the country. He came from poverty and at a very early age began working alongside his parents as a farmworker. César knew first hand about the hard work and struggle of the farmworker.

On April 29,1993, César Estrada Chávez was honored in death by those he led in life when more than 40,000 mourners came to honor the charismatic labor leader at his funeral in Delano. At age 66, César Chávez passed away in his sleep on April 23, 1993 near Yuma, Arizona. On August 8, 1994, President Clinton posthumously awarded him the Medal of Freedom through his wife, Helen.

Today the movement and the struggle to secure labor rights continue. César Chávez may not be physically present among the organizers, but many people still draw inspiration and encouragement from his life devotion to non-violent social change.

THE MEMORIAL
" The plaza will memorialize César's compassion and courage, his gentleness and determination, to win justice and dignity for all."

César Chávez Bronze Statue
A statue of César Chávez shows him slowly walking as he shows loving support to the statue of 10 farmworkers directly in front of him. Cast in bronze, over six feet in height, his right hand is extended and in the other hand he is holding books. Although his formal childhood education was limited, later in life he proved that education was his passion and César continued to practice his belief that "the end of all education should surely be service to others."

Farmworker Statue
Ten life-size figures represent the ten thousand marchers who arrived in Sacramento at the California State Capitol after a grueling 340-mile march on April 24, 1966. This arduous ordeal lasted 25 days and began in the fields of Delano with a modest 68 people. This historic moment marked the beginning of both national as well as international awareness of the farmworker¹s plight.

The first four figures in this piece are close to the ground demonstrating the early days when farmworkers had to stoop over and work with backbreaking short hoes. The short hoes that are depicted were eventually outlawed due to the efforts of the César Chávez and the UFW. The next five figures are completely upright with flags in their hands instead of workers tools, to symbolize the many marches workers made to assure the basic human rights this particular community had been denied. When seen from a distance the piece profoundly displays the plight of the farmworkers harsh existence and their eventual ascension to dignity and self-empowerment.

The Eagle Fountain
The fountain, in the shape of an eagle, symbolizes the United Farm Workers spirit and is based on the Aztec eagle that represents dignity and pride. On the side of the fountain that faces the street, the César Chávez prayer for the Farm Worker's Struggle will be imprinted and read:

Show me the suffering of the most miserable;
So I will know my people's plight.

Free me to pray for others;
For you are present in every person.

Help me to take responsibility for my own. Life;
So that I can be free at last.

Give me honesty and patience;
So that I can work with other workers.

Bring forth song and celebration;
So that the Spirit will be alive among us.

Let the Spirit flourish and grow;
So that we will never tire of the struggle.

Let us remember those who have died for justice;
For they have given us life.

Help us love even those who hate us;
So we can change the world.

On the other side of the fountain, the artist will paint a vista of an agricultural scene representing the fields throughout California.

The fountain will be constructed of concrete blocks and waterproofed. Water will flow over both sides of the eagle. The dimensions are 6 feet high, 15 feet long and 3 feet wide, with a base to recycle the water.

César Chávez Mural
A mural painted by Mr. Gomez will provide a visual chronology depicting the life of César Chávez beginning in a self-made adobe house with his humble parents and as a young man working in the fields. César will be seen as a young sailor in 1944 serving in the Navy overseas during World War II. The mural will then illustrate his 1948 marriage to Helen and the formation of the United Farm Workers Union.

Inspirational moments in history that exemplify the life of César Chávez will be portrayed such as his "1968 Delano Fast" where he was joined by Robert F. Kennedy to break bread at the conclusion of the fast. Other milestones include, Mexican President Salinas De Gortari awards César Chávez the highest Mexican Civilian award, El Aguila Azteca and in 1994 President Bill Clinton posthumously awarded the United States Medal of Freedom to César Chávez.

The mural will proceed to highlight historical moments as well as tragedies with the recurring theme of hope. Throughout the mural a dove is included in the scenes representing Chávez's commitment for non-violence.

The mural will be painted on two separate but adjacent walls, each approximately 6 feet high by 50 feet long. The walls will be constructed of concrete blocks, sealed and finished for the mural painting. The murals will face inward towards the memorial. On the other side of the memorial, "The César Chávez Memorial," will be written in bold lettering, which can easily be read by Metrolink passengers entering the City.

Further Information:
Ron Ruiz, Assistant to the City Administrator
818-898-1201