Immigration rally to mark Cesar Chavez Day

Cesar Chavez' birthday will be celebrated with people gathering in Delano to seek immigration reform.

Thousands of farm workers and community activists are expected to turn out for the event March 28 at Cesar Chavez Park, according to a news release from the United Farm Workers of America.

Chavez, a labor and civil rights activist, was born on March 31, 1927. His birthday is celebrated as an official holiday in eight states, including California.

In 1966, Chavez bought his Forty Acres compound outside of Delano, where he would fast for better wages and working conditions. The U.S. Department of the Interior made the compound a National Historic Landmark in 2008.

The UFW-sponsored march is part of the Reform Immigration FOR America national campaign pushing for comprehensive immigration reform legislation that would allow about 12 million undocumented immigrants to legalize their residency in the Unites States, according to the news release.

Cesar Chavez Park is located at the corner of 9th and Ellington. Mass will be held at 10 a.m., and the march starts at 12:30 p.m.

Photo of the 2009 Cesar Chavez march from the UFW Web site.