The spirit of Cesar Chavez, the late unionist campaigner for farm worker rights, touched Pilsen Saturday as the neighborhood named a street section and its post office in his honor on the Mexican Day of the Dead.
A small crowd of onlookers and well-wishers gathered on Blue Island Avenue, 18th Street and Loomis Street as city, state and congressional leaders unveiled a brown street sign bearing Chavez’s name.
The Mexican-American leader spent most of his 66 years fighting for better wages and working conditions for America’s agricultural industry workforce. He died in April 1993.
Blue Island Avenue from 18th to 21st Streets now is honorary Cesar Chavez Avenue, and the post office at 1859 S. Ashland Ave. bears his name.
Ester and Francisco Montalvo Jr. of Chicago Heights, were waiting in the crowd for the sign to be unveiled. They recalled meeting Chavez on several occasions in the 1960s, when he visited Chicago during fundraising trips for his United Farm Workers union.
“We love him in our hearts,” said Ester Montalvo, 67, her eyes welling up. “He is still very much alive.”
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) said Chavez struggled for a better life for all Latinos.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Chavez belonged among the heroes of U.S. history. The stones in the streets of Pilsen have seen generations of immigrants from different continents pass through, Durbin said.
“If the stones could speak, they would say that Cesar Chavez spoke up for those who had no voice,” he said.
More Top Picks Griddles Camp