Celebration, historical impact, and the smell of tacos filled air as students gathered for Ferris’ first march honoring Hispanic activists since COVID-19.
César Chávez helped pave the way for farmers to have better working conditions through different avenues, including encouraging the public to go on strike. Delores Huerta helped alongside Chávez to help make these conditions a reality.
This march was inspired by the annual Grand Rapids march that took place on March 14 this year. The decision was made to have one that allowed the Ferris community to join in and honor the activists.
Thirty four people marched in honor of Chávez and Huerta. The director of the Hispanic/ Latino Cultural Center Sonia Trevino was surprised but thrilled with the turnout for the event.
“Anytime you get food, students do come out,” Trevino said “And [the march] is something in the spirit of community and a sense of belonging, so I’m very happy with the way things turned out.”
Business administration senior Hilary Sanchez is a member of Gamma Phi Omega. She helped plan the march with her sorority and spoke on behalf of GPhiO about the legacy of the Huerta before the march took place.
“We decided to speak on her for two reasons,” Sanchez said. “One, she also has many friends as much as a cellist and her work was really impactful to women and children that were part of the social work and also for women’s history.”
Gamma Phi Omega and Alpha Epsilon Chapter members educated the participants on the history of achievements of the two activists before the march began.
The march was followed by a community lunch where everyone who participated was allowed to hang out in the IRC and enjoy tacos. HLCC hoped that the tacos will draw people in so that they will be able to connect and share their stories with one another and build relationships and conversations.
Television and digital media production freshman Sam Rangel had only been to one march before this one, about safe driving. She felt that she was able to learn a lot from her experience.
“I felt it was very educational,” Rangel said. “The speakers did a really good job of sharing why we’re here. And then having all kinds of people come and join us from different organizations, sororities or just students in general. [Chanting] phrases altogether, going around, showing everyone a banner, I think it’s very awesome.”
The group has plans to revive the tradition and continue the march next year, with hopes that it will continue to grow and that the legacy of the activists will continue to be honored and celebrated.
“We will have an on-campus march, followed by a sense of community and belonging, having food and really just remembering the spirit of our activists,” Trevino said.
C.E. – EC/RS/AM
CULTURE EDITOR – GD