A series of speakers and events in April will honor labor leader Cesar E. Chavez, who was born March 31, 1927. The statewide holiday was April 1 and UCSD observed it March 29; UCSD’s events begin April 5.

The first day of activities will begin with guest speaker Carlos R. Moreno, associate justice of the Supreme Court of California.

Moreno will be followed by Antonia Darder on April 9. Darder is a professor of education and cultural studies at Claremont Graduate School and director of the Institute for Cultural Studies in Education.

Vicki Ruis will speak April 24. Ruis is a professor of history and Chicano/Latino studies in the history department at UC Irvine.

Chavez activities will close April 30 with guest speaker Dolores Huerta, co-founder and first vice president emeritus of the United Farm Workers of America.

The UCSD campus first celebrated the holiday in conjunction with the one approved by Gov. Gray Davis in 2000.

Growing up in migrant farm camps, Chavez was affected by the plight of migrant farmworkers. He became a principal figure in the Chicano Civil Rights Movement, serving as a leader of the United Farm Workers of America and leading a nationwide boycott of California grapes to achieve labor contracts in the 1960s.

Chavez’s achievements helped to improve the quality of life for farmworkers across the United States. Chavez promoted nonviolence, education and respect for all cultures, religions and lifestyles.

His message of unity and respect will be explored in a film presentation, a UCSD Bookstore display, a panel discussion, a student field trip to Chicano Park in San Diego’s Barrio Logan, and a youth essay contest.