Legacy of Cesar Chavez is being honored

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Tuesday marks Cesar Chavez Day. Many Valley residents took time to remember the civil rights leader and pioneer for farm workers' rights.

With rakes and garbage bags in hand, community members came ready to take over their neighborhood. Instead of a day off on Cesar Chavez, community advocates decided to have a day of action.

Fresno Barrios Unidos Health Educator Jasmine Leiva said, "Today we thought we would do something different. We come together with the youth that we work with, the family we work with to make an impact on the street and the neighborhood that we live in every day."

Leiva helped organize a cleanup. Members planted flowers and cleaned up along Tulare Street, across from Roosevelt High School.

Volunteer Chris Hanson said, "We're used to coming to school to walking to school, and there's trash everywhere, grafitti everywhere, gang affiliation everywhere. So we wanted make a difference."

From students to families, all played a part in beautifying this Southeast Fresno neighborhood. They say you can never underestimate the power of change.

Leiva added, "Cesar Chavez is such an amazing leader that had such an impact on our communities and I think what we're really trying to do is embody the spirit of self-determination, agency and each of us has the power to make an impact in the space that we live."

Little by little that change is something organizers say they hope neighbors will see and feel in the future.

This is the first day of action for the Fresno Barrios Unidos. They hope to continue this legacy of service next year.