PRESS RELEASE

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors will consider a resolution on Tuesday, March 25 acknowledging Cesar Chavez Day, a federal commemorative holiday since 2014. On that day, Concilio of Yolo County will host a reception at 12:00 p.m. outside of the Atrium Training Room (B02). Simultaneously, the “Land and Labor” Exhibit, dedicated to Chavez, will be displayed inside the Yolo County Administration Building in the Atrium Training Room (B02) from Wednesday, March 19 to Wednesday, March 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The exhibit will feature photos, narratives, posters, artwork, and information aimed at raising awareness of the history and culture surrounding land and labor in the region.

The exhibition is organized by the Ethnic Studies Youth Organizing and Leadership Opportunity (YOLO Academy) and sponsored by Yolo County Supervisors Allen, Barajas, Frerichs, and Vixie Sandy, Yolo County Concilio, and YoloArts. It is presented in partnership with UC Davis Archives and Special Collections, Yolo County Archives, UC Davis Taller Arte del Nuevo Amanecer (TANA), and community members Elyse Doyle Martinez, Joaquin Galvan Sr., Steven Hiromoto, Hulleah J. Tsinhnahjinnie, NJ Mvondo, and YOLO Academy Curator Adriana Perez with assistance from Adelita Serena. The exhibition is also supported by Dr. Melissa Moreno, Dr. Juliet Maestas, and Former Assemblymember Mariko Yamada.

Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair, Dr. Mary Vixie-Sandy remarked “Farmworkers and farmworker rights have a long history in Yolo County, and we are proud to acknowledge the impactful legacy of Cesar Chavez. We are grateful for the work of UC Davis Library Archives and Special Collections along with Yolo County Archives and Records Center dedicated to this exhibit. Cesar Chavez continues to be an inspirational figure and we are excited to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day and the indispensable work of our farmworker community.”

District 5 Supervisor Angel Barajas stated "Understanding our cultural history is vital to honoring the contributions of those who came before us and shaping the future for the next generation. I was inspired by my peers and our community when we worked together to bring the first Cesar Chavez Celebration to Woodland, and I am grateful to now support this cause at the Board level alongside stakeholders and colleagues who share a deep connection to Chavez’s legacy. His commitment to justice and the empowerment of farmworkers continues to resonate in Yolo County, and this exhibit is a powerful reminder of that impact."

Lucas Frerichs, Yolo County Supervisor representing District 2, shared “I’m grateful to the leadership of Ethnic Studies YOLO Academy for curating an exhibit honoring the Bracero legacy this past December. Now they are expanding that exhibit to recognize the contributions of other agricultural labor groups in a week-long exhibit beginning March 19th. It's more important than ever to understand the impact of past policies and practices related to agricultural labor in Yolo County, so we can avoid repeating historical injustices and work collaboratively to create a resilient and healthy shared community.”

In addition, Supervisor Sheila Allen, said “In Yolo County we are proud of our Latino/a community members that includes many great leaders. In particular, Yolo County has strong agriculture because of our commitment to the preservation of the ag land and support of our agricultural workers.  It is fitting that we recognize their contributions as we honor Cesar Chavez.”

“The UC Davis Library Archives and Special Collections is pleased to contribute historical photographs and materials to this timely exhibit. As a Land Grant University, UC Davis is grateful for this opportunity to share the collections we steward more broadly with the regional community,” said Kevin Miller, Head of Archives and Special Collections.

Yolo County Archives and Records Center Coordinator, Heather Lanctot, explained that “the Yolo County Archives appreciates the opportunity to provide reproductions of photographs, newspaper articles, and documents from the Yolo County Archives collections in this exhibit. It is a wonderful opportunity to help raise awareness of the stories and histories of Yolo County communities who have been stewards of, and worked on, the land.”

Cesar Chavez Day acknowledges the birth and legacy of the civil rights and labor movement activist Chavez on March 31 every year. The City of Davis has been celebrating this since 2000 and in the City of Woodland since 2015. In his lifetime, Chavez acknowledged the importance of multiculturalism; he stated:

“We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community — and this nation.”

Chavez saw the diversity firsthand when he visited Yolo County in the 1970’s and 1980s. Dr. Moreno stated, the “Land and Labor” Exhibit is a way of representing our past and present so we can imagine a better future for all people and generations.

To commemorate the exhibit, UC Davis TANA will offer art prints for the first 100 who attend. The hope is that this exhibit will encourage the schools and cities in our county to learn more about the land and labor histories in this region.