‘Yes, we can’ — César E. Chávez March for Justice returns to streets of San Antonio after two-year COVID hiatus

Mata and Reyna are not halfhearted about worker rights. They were among the San Antonio garment workers who lost their jobs when Levi Strauss & Co. shuttered three local jeans plants in 1990. They and other laid-off workers fought hard for severance pay. From that struggle emerged Fuerza Unida (United Force), a nonprofit that seeks to empower women workers.

“He was a hero,” Mata said of Chávez, who died in 1993 at age 66. “He struggled to fight for people working in the fields. We continue, no matter what.”

After a two-year hiatus caused by COVID-19, the March for Justice returned to the streets on Saturday. Shouts of “Si Se Peude!” (Yes, We Can) echoed through downtown. “La Causa Sigue” (The Cause Continues) was the theme of this year’s march.

On ExpressNews.com: Chávez marchers will be taking it to the streets again after COVID hiatus

Hundreds of people gathered near the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center on the near West Side for a commemorative program before the start of the 2.4-mile march to Hemisfair Plaza.

Local labor organizer Jaime Martinez started the San Antonio march in 1997. His son, Ernest J. Martinez, chair of the César E. Chávez Legacy & Educational Foundation, paid tribute Saturday to several groups, including Ukrainian San Antonio, a nonprofit that is collecting donations to help Ukrainians displaced by the Russian invasion of their country.

“The world stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine,” Martinez said. “And so do we.”

Olena Garcia and Olena Khrystyuk, representing the Ukrainian organization, thanked the crowd for their support. Khrystyuk said Chávez’s legacy inspires people the world over to fight for their rights.

“Just like the people of Ukraine are fighting for their rights and freedom,” she said.

The crowd observed a moment of silence for those who have died in the war. Then a marcher opened a white wicker basket and released a flock of doves into the air.

Martinez also acknowledged musicians of the San Antonio Symphony, who have been on strike for nearly six months in a contract dispute with the symphony board. The musicians held signs that said “Fighting for a living wage!” and “We demand good faith bargaining.”

Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced that March 31, César Chávez Day, will be an official city holiday beginning this year. President Barack Obama declared the date a federal commemorative holiday in 2014.

Nirenberg said San Antonio will be the first U.S. city to make the date a paid holiday for its employees.

“The change that begins on the streets is change that emanates through this city,” the mayor said. “And the change that begins in San Antonio emanates throughout the United States.”

On ExpressNews.com: Commentary: City holiday will give Chávez his due

Grand marshals of the parade were Nirenberg’s wife, Erika Prosper Nirenberg, and Paul Chávez, son of the civil rights leader.

Prosper Nirenberg, the daughter of migrant farmworkers, said he’s derived great satisfaction from reading to schoolchildren about Chávez’s life and legacy.

That legacy includes “the freedom to march and freedom to remind those in power they’re not there without us,” she said. “Those kids, they need to hear that from us every day, that they matter.”

Romulo Spiller, 65, carried a blue-and-yellow Ukraine flag as he walked the parade route. His wife, Patricia, 64, said she had been participating since she was a student at Lanier High School, located on César E. Chávez Boulevard west of downtown.

“It brings into focus the struggle that migrant farm workers experienced,” she said. “It’s a good platform for organizations that have a statement to make and help the less fortunate who don’t have a voice.”

An indigenous group led the marchers, providing the beat of drums and a trail of sage in the air. The Lanier High School ROTC team followed, ahead of the speakers, dignitaries and farm workers bearing a long banner with black eagle icons. Marchers chanted and clapped as they headed over the Guadalupe Street bridge, onto Frio Street and then Dolorosa Street.

As the marchers passed City Hall, a mother pulled her sleeping daughter in a red wagon.

Albino Ortiz, 43, held above his head an oil portrait of Chávez painted by his uncle, artist Abel Ortiz. Albino said he had traveled from Kansas with his family for the event.

“It’s a family tradition for us,” he said. “Keeping their memories alive and what they stood for and being able to represent that is a big deal for us.”

At Hemisfair Plaza, Karina Balvas, 26, said she took part to honor family members who worked the fields so that they’re not forgotten.

“It’s not fair that you should be mistreated because of how you look or your background,” she said. “Everybody is human, and they deserve the same decency.”

Victoria Chávez, 32, learned about the march at San Antonio College, where she is a student. The medical assistant said she came out to support better treatment for farm workers.

A plus was hearing Little Joe, one of her favorite bands.

“It was great,” Chávez said as her two-year-old son sat in a stroller. “Being around everybody was a really good atmosphere. You felt the unity, the community and the love.”