In April 2001, a group of dedicated individuals and organizations started meeting with one purpose: to create a paid holiday in Pima County in honor of labor leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers, César E. This group consisted of educators, community activists and leaders, faith-based and indigenous organizations, labor leaders, local businesses and non-profits, veterans, and individual
s determined to honor the legacy of César E. The group started a county-wide campaign consisting of petition gathering, cultural and educational events, and letter writing and phone calls to educate, inform, and motivate the Pima County Board of Supervisors to vote for a César E. Chávez Holiday. In October 2001, with leadership from Supervisors Raúl M. Grijalva and Dan Eckstrom, in front of a standing-room-only County Supervisors meeting, the holiday was passed 3-2. Instead of resting on this achievement, the Coalition sponsored the César E. Chávez Youth Leadership Conference in April 2002 at the Pima Community College Desert Vista Campus. The goal of the conference is to teach youth about community leadership, the history of the labor movement, the basics of organizing, civil rights education, and cultural diversity and awareness. Using existing community resources, financial support from sympathetic organizations, and the skill and determination of members within the group, a true coalition has been formed to benefit youth and the community.
2025 CO-Chairs:
Eva Carrillo-Dong
Anakarina Rodriguez
Coalition Members:
Mexican American Student Services Department TUSD
Arizona AFL-CIO
AZ Jobs with Justice
MECHA UA, Pueblo and Tucson HS
Derechos Humanos
National Domestic Workers Alliance
Care in Action
Communication Workers of America - CWA Local 7026
AFSCME Local 449
DosVidas Car Club
++ Local Labor Leaders, Community Organizers, + Activists
Local Support:
City of Tucson
Pima County
