By Oscar Lozano and José Rodríguez
This year’s César Chávez holiday on Monday, March 31, calls not just for a celebration of his life and ideals, but also for the repudiation of President Trump‘s policies and attacks on people and our democracy.
Trumpism and his MAGA movement, characterized by fascist tendencies, represent everything that Chávez fought against. We can honor him by joining a coalition of people in a César Chávez March to defend democracy and against fascism March 31.
A man of humble beginnings, Chávez built a movement of farmworkers, initially seeking fair wages and working conditions, and the right to collectively bargain, which progressively transformed into a nonviolent mass struggle for social justice and a more peaceful world.
Chávez taught us respect and dignity for all people, regardless of their status in life and worked tirelessly to promote nondiscrimination and equality in society. Advocating for educational opportunities, access to healthcare, and fair immigration, policies, among other actions for social change, Chávez inspired us to work toward a moral and just world.
In contrast, Trump’s policies represent the opposite. His views of nonwhite people, immigrants, LGBTQ+ members, women, and the working class clash with Chávez’s.
With an authoritarian style reminiscent of fascist dictators, he has proceeded to dismantle our government by shrinking or eliminating agencies, firing personnel regardless of worker protections, and disregarding long-standing processes for government operations.
Moreover, he is threatening the very foundations of our democracy by ignoring the rule of law and court decisions, undermining the separation of powers, and trashing individual rights and protections afforded by the Constitution.
In short, Trump stands for everything that Chávez spent his life fighting against.
So, our challenge is whether we remain silent as Trumpism shreds our democracy and moves toward fascism or whether we join in the growing movement to stop him. Join us in a march beginning at 4 p.m. March 31 from the Boys & Girls Club to the San Jacinto Placita to honor Cesar Chávez and demonstrate El Paso will not remain silent.¡Sí se puede! ¡Viva la causa!
Oscar Lozano was raised in Segundo Barrio and is a retired Bowie High School teacher and longtime South El Paso activist. José Rodríguez is a former Texas state senator.
The post Opinion: Trump and MAGA represent everything César Chávez fought against appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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