Camperinos, a student organization at the University of New Mexico, held its 7th annual Farmworker Awareness Week (FAW) in the SUB Atrium. The three-day event held March 25, 26 and 27 was in support of farmworker justice, coinciding with National FAW and activist, Cesar Chavez’ birthday.
The event featured themes on each of the three days, with Monday’s theme being Dia de la Mujer Campesina, Tuesday’s being Farmworker Student Appreciation Day and Wednesday's being Cesar Chavez’ birthday.
FAW has a social justice mission, and the intersections of worker justice, gender justice and migrant justice. Their mission pertains to farmworker justice as a whole, something that was emphasized throughout the event.
Although there is a large focus in the event’s programming on the injustices farmworkers face, the event also serves as a celebration of the resilience of the communities and families of farmworkers through music, storytelling and community-building.
The student-led event also hosted campus and community organizations such as El Centro de La Raza, the Food Justice Project, College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), Rural Student Project (RSP), Chicanx Student Collective, the Mexican Consulate and others. Organizations had tables at the event with resources, educational materials, political actions as well as ways to get involved both at UNM and in the community.
UNM student, Leila Sonora, was tabling at the event with the Chicanx Student Collective, she said she liked the event because of its visibility and relevance to her daily life.
“A lot of people pass through (the SUB Atrium) so they at least get exposed to these issues, which may lead to them stopping and engaging more,” Sonora said.
The event’s visibility invites people to engage, with representatives from local organizations lining the basement of the SUB.
Social justice through community building and organizing around farmworker rights has a long history both in New Mexico and in the Southwest. Monday’s screening of the documentary "Dolores" details feminist work in social justice projects. Wednesday’s speaker, David Martinez, who was Cesar Chavez’ best friend, brought another important perspective that recalled the history of the movement as a whole.
Along with taking a moment for history and education, the event also featured student’s voices. Tuesday’s programming focused on amplifying the voices of student farmworkers through panels featuring student organizations such as Camperinos, CAMP and RSP, all of which are centered around farmworker rights and farm work.
A space for building community, the event not only hoped to educate students, but also encouraged them to engage in these causes.
Organizers of FAW encouraged students to attend the 26th Annual Recuerda César Chávez Day March and Fiesta this Saturday, March 30. The event will host activist, Dolores Huerta. More information can be found here.
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Sophia Sambrano is a freelance reporter with the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted by email at culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @sambsoph
