South Phoenix is old stomping grounds for César Chávez. In 1972, he went on a hunger strike in Phoenix to protest state law banning farm workers from organizing. During his 24-hour fast, César Chávez made Santa Rita Center near 10th St. and Buckeye his base of operations. His legacy of justice, dignity, and community organizing lives on in South Phoenix. 

Stand Up for South Phoenix continues that fight. The prolonged light rail construction has devastated small businesses, displaced residents, and silenced voices. Most recently, Valley Metro, alongside Construction Advisory Board (CAB) Chair Petra Falcon of Promise Arizona, pushed Call to the Audience to the end of CAB meetings—an apparent attempt to suppress community input, especially from Spanish-speaking residents.

Let’s be clear: interpretation services for federally-funded projects are a legal obligation, not a courtesy. And silencing those who speak up is not just wrong—it’s a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Today, we don’t just remember César Chávez. We carry his torch forward. La lucha sigue. Visit Stand Up For South Phoenix for more.

Share this petition with 10 friends and family via text, WhatsApp, Instagram and/or Facebook!