The film “Cesar Chavez” will be released in movie theaters across the country on March 28. In this photo, Michael Peña (right) plays the role of labor leader Cesar Chavez. (Facebook/Cesar Chavez)
The long-awaited film about the life and work of labor leader Cesar Chavez will hit movie theaters in about 100 cities nationwide starting on Friday, and supporters are hoping it will inspire people all across country.
“Cesar Chavez, the movie, will serve as a reminder for farm workers and all Americans that they too have the power to bring about transformational change in their lives and the lives of their families,” said United Farm Workers (UFW) President Arturo Rodriguez.
Though the film won’t be in theaters until Friday, special screenings have already taken place in several cities across the United States. Four more will be held this week as UFW, which Chavez founded in 1962, teams up with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s advocacy group FWD.us to host the screenings.
Rosario Dawson (right) plays the role of labor leader Dolores Huerta. (Facebook/Cesar Chavez)
The special screenings will be held in Chicago Austin, Miami and San Francisco.
Joe Green, founder and president of FWD.us, told Voxxi in an email that his group is “proud” to host the film screenings alongside the UFW. He also said he hopes Chavez’s story will help build momentum for immigration reform. This comes as efforts to pass immigration reform legislation are stalled in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
“Cesar Chavez’s story is such a powerful example of organizing, bringing people together and humanizing this very important issue,” Green said. “As members of a broad coalition working toward immigration reform, we recognize that whether it’s the founding of the next innovative tech company or the next meal on our tables, the hard work of immigrants who want to be a part of the American Dream fuels our economy and enriches our country.”
Ever since leaders in the tech community got together to launch FWD.us last April, the group has been actively calling on Congress to pass immigration reform legislation that includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrant currently living in the U.S. It has hosted various pro-immigration reform events, ranging from hackathons for Dreamers to panel discussions on how the economy would benefit from immigration reform.
To read full article: http://voxxi.com/2014/03/24/supporters-film-cesar-chavez-inspire/
