Hernandez Holds Food Drive to Honor César Chávez

CICERO, Ill. — To honor the legacy of labor rights activist César Chávez’s 96th birthday, state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, will be collecting non-perishable food at her district office located at 6117 W. Cermak Rd. in Cicero, now through March 31.

“As a labor leader, organizer, and civil rights activist, César Chávez made an indelible mark on American history, agriculture and the labor movement at large,” Hernandez said. “He fought tirelessly to improve the working conditions for the farmers who put food on our tables, and his activism still inspires many in the ongoing fight for social justice.”

Chávez was a Mexican-American civil rights activist, U.S. Navy veteran and labor leader who founded the National Farm Workers Association, which eventually became the United Farm Workers labor union. He spent his life fighting to improve the living and working conditions of migrant farm workers and is known for using nonviolent forms of protest such as boycotts and hunger strikes.

“Chávez fought for the dignity and equal treatment of all people. In honor of what would have been his 96th birthday, we are helping to end hunger in our community,” Hernandez said. “I encourage everyone to give what they can to help those in need. Even small donations add up to a big impact. César Chávez may be gone, but his cause and his memory live on in our actions.”

Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at Hernandez’s district office from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from now until César Chávez Day, March 31.  For more information, please contact Rep. Hernandez’s constituent service office at 708-222-5240 or Office@RepEHernandez.com.