DELANO, CA- Hundreds of farm workers headed out to "40 Acres" in Delano to see the "Cesar Chavez" film. Organizers set up a big screen in front of the offices where the modern American labor movement started, but the screening was cut short.
It started out as a beautiful day for an outdoor event.
Chavez's son, Paul, said, "this is the most meaningful showing for us. We're here seeing it with our brothers and sisters from the field, who this movie is all about."
Around 9 p.m. Tuesday, rain caused organizers to cancel the screening.
After most of the people cleared out, one man stayed in his seat.
Tino Martinez said, "Cesar and my father and family suffered a lot more than this. If all these people could do it, why couldn't I do it for five minutes?"
Martinez was one of many who could relate to the film. It chronicles Chavez's struggle to organize and campaign for farm workers rights -- while facing abuse and racism. A story the film's director Diego Luna says needs to be told.
Luna said, "I just hope that young people in this country know this is part of their history. That they get inspired by these people chance is possible. This is a community that was ignored back then, but Cesar came and gave that confidence, strength to these people and we have that strength."
Much of the story takes place in Delano. For Chavez's son, showing the movie here was especially important.
"I saw some of the folks that knew my father, marched with him and they were showing me their union cards from 1967 and talking about the campaigns and how they were honored and privileged to be next to my father. It is very heart warming," said Chavez.
The film comes out in theaters nationwide Friday.
The United Farm Workers will have a showing of the movie Saturday at Maya Cinemas in Bakersfield. A red carpet reception will precede it. The event gets started at 4 p.m. Money raised will go to the UFW and the UFW Foundation.
It started out as a beautiful day for an outdoor event.
Chavez's son, Paul, said, "this is the most meaningful showing for us. We're here seeing it with our brothers and sisters from the field, who this movie is all about."
Around 9 p.m. Tuesday, rain caused organizers to cancel the screening.
After most of the people cleared out, one man stayed in his seat.
Tino Martinez said, "Cesar and my father and family suffered a lot more than this. If all these people could do it, why couldn't I do it for five minutes?"
Martinez was one of many who could relate to the film. It chronicles Chavez's struggle to organize and campaign for farm workers rights -- while facing abuse and racism. A story the film's director Diego Luna says needs to be told.
Luna said, "I just hope that young people in this country know this is part of their history. That they get inspired by these people chance is possible. This is a community that was ignored back then, but Cesar came and gave that confidence, strength to these people and we have that strength."
Much of the story takes place in Delano. For Chavez's son, showing the movie here was especially important.
"I saw some of the folks that knew my father, marched with him and they were showing me their union cards from 1967 and talking about the campaigns and how they were honored and privileged to be next to my father. It is very heart warming," said Chavez.
The film comes out in theaters nationwide Friday.
The United Farm Workers will have a showing of the movie Saturday at Maya Cinemas in Bakersfield. A red carpet reception will precede it. The event gets started at 4 p.m. Money raised will go to the UFW and the UFW Foundation.
