Hundreds of students, faculty and community members gathered at San Jose State University on Thursday to dedicate a monument Cesar E. Chavez. The Arch of Dignity, Equality and Justice stands 20 feet tall and is capped by the Aztec eagle emblem that became the symbol for Chavez' United Farm Workers union. The arch, created by Chicana artist Judith F. Baca of Los Angeles, also features a mosaic of Chavez and larger than life paintings of farmworkers, Chavez' role model Mahatma Ghandi and Dolores Huerta, Chavez' partner in the UFW.
Chavez grew up in East San Jose near Alum Rock Avenue and spent his early adult years as a community organizer in the Community Service Organization with other East Side legends such as Herman Gallegos and Leonard C. Ramirez. Before moving on to found the UFW, Chavez and other early CSO members staged voter registration drives and fought for paved streets, sidewalks and street lights in East Side neighborhoods.
The arch stands near the entrance to the SJSU student union and organizers hope the artwork will inspire students of all backgrounds to get involved in community activism.
Portraits of Dolores Huerta (left) and Mahatma Ghandi.
Students will see this mosaic of Chavez as they pass through the arch.
Artist Judith F. Baca (left) stands with Dolores Huerta under Huerta's portrait.
The arch was blessed with holy water during the dedication.
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