Cesar Chavez Day

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Compton's El Camino College held a celebration today in honor of Cesar Chavez Day. The holiday commemorates the birthday the United Farm Workers Union founder.

Dozens of students and faculty members gathered in the college's Student Center to pay tribute to the man who spent his life fighting for social justice.

Chavez fought against low wages, poor housing, and sickness from pesticides for Mexican and Filipino American migrant workers.

Starting in the 1960s, he led massive protests and boycotts. He went to jail for his actions, and even fasted for 46 days once.

Cesar Chavez died in 1993, but he remains a civil rights icon for many around the country.

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Photo by The Cesar Chavez Foundation