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Published: 18 March 2014 18 March 2014

The latest in a series of forums that encourage audience participation, “Cesar Chavez and His Legacy” will engage a panel of persons inspired by the late labor leader, beginning at 6 pm, Thursday, March 20 at Miller Library, on the campus Western New Mexico University. Sponsored by the library, MECha, the Native American Club, and the Democratic Party of Grant County, the forum invites the public to join students, faculty and community leaders at the discussion. A free potluck dinner will follow at 7:15 pm.

Magdaleno Manzanarez, WNMU vice-president for external affairs, will moderate the forum, which has the subtitle “Labor, Social Justice, and Education.” Seven panelists will participate: two legislators and five persons with experience in civil rights activism.

State Senator Howie Morales and State Representative Rudy Martinez will share how Chavez' spirit and values have shaped their own. Contributing reflections and recollections will be Patricia Cano, WNMU professor and long-term community activist; Mary Hotvedt, family therapist, adjunct professor and chair of the Grant County Democrats; Eddie Madrid, retired mine worker and long-term community activist; Maria Montanez, an activist WNMU student; and Felipe Ortego, WNMU professor and nationally-known scholar of Chicano history and culture.

“This forum is a week before the birth date of Chavez,” notes Lorna Ruebelmann, forum coordinator. “Chavez' legacy is a powerful one that asks how each person can and should respond to social and economic challenges today.” Chavez was born in Arizona on March 31, 1927. He died in 1993.

According to Ruebelmann, Manzanarez, a political science professor, was personally acquainted with Chavez, president of the United Farm Workers. The union in its efforts to organize laborers in the California fields and orchards conducted a national boycott of lettuce and grapes during the 1960's and 70's.

Chavez led several fasts to draw attention to farm workers' working conditions. From the beginning, in his partnership with Dolores Huerta, Chavez combined both labor organizing and civil rights, proclaiming that every child should have the chance to reach his or her full potential.

“'Si, se puede,' the assurance that Chavez gave to people facing what seemed to be impossible goals -- whether in Wisconsin and Texas where Hotvedt worked or in Grant County where Madrid and Cano worked -- still resonates,” says Ruebelmann.

For more information about the forums call 505-717-433.