Roadrunner Nation to march for justice in honor of César Chávez
(March 20, 2017) -- Students, faculty and staff from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will join thousands from across South Texas as they march together in San Antonio's 21st annual César E. Chávez March for Justice. The march is scheduled at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 25. It begins at Guadalupe and South Brazos streets and ends at Alamo Plaza.
>> See the César E. Chávez March for Justice route details.
The annual march celebrates the life and legacy of labor, human and civil rights leader, César E. Chávez. The Mexican American farm worker fought for farm workers' rights in California and eventually the entire nation from the 1950s until his death in 1993.
"César Chávez had power for the Latino voice in the United States," said Brian Halderman, director of the UTSA Center for Civic Engagement. "This gives students an opportunity to not only march under his name but to participate in civic engagement in a different way. We often think of civic engagement as voting or volunteer service, but in this case we're putting one foot in front of the other because we believe in a cause."
Groups of UTSA students, faculty and staff have traditionally participated in the César E. Chávez March for Justice, organized by the university's Student Leadership Center. This year, that center collaborated with the Center for Civic Engagement, the university's Mexican American Studies Program and African American Studies Program, and the Student Government Association, among others, to grow UTSA's involvement in the march.
UTSA graduate student James Pobanz will be participating for the first time.
"Events like this are important to not only represent UTSA but to stand in solidarity with the people that make up our community," said Pobanz, who graduates with his master's in social work this May. "It also gives me a chance to take the pulse of the community and get a feel for what is on people's minds and to explore opportunities for change."
UTSA will provide shuttles to transport faculty, staff and students to the march. Main Campus participants will meet at the Convocation Center at 8:30 a.m. to ride the shuttle. Downtown Campus participants will meet at 9 a.m. in Lot D-3 under I-35. Shuttle riders must register by March 24. Participants can also meet the UTSA group at the start of the march.
Roadrunner Nation is encouraged to wear orange to the march and will walk behind an orange banner, chanting along the route. There will be a presentation on the significance of Chávez' life following the rally at Alamo Plaza.
"This is a chance for us to take what we learned from the classroom and see how it can fit into the real world, said Pobanz. "UTSA has given us the tools to make a difference in people's lives. Let's join together and show our community what we can do."
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Learn more about San Antonio's César E. Chávez March for Justice.
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Events
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Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.