TGIF Feature: California celebrates life of labor leader Larry Itliong

LARRY ITLIONG

THURSDAY was Larry Itliong Day in California, the only state to have a day honoring a Filipino American.

What better way to mark the occasion than to listen to the students of the Larry Itliong-Philip Vera Cruz Middle School in Union City, California.

Hearing the young students sing "Solidarity Forever" is something I never could have imagined happening. It still gives me chills.

Larry Itliong Day was made a day of observance honoring the late labor leader in 2015 when Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Rob Bonta. Bonta is the first Filipino American elected to the California Assembly.

Itliong led the Filipino farm workers to strike for better wages in 1965. For two weeks the striking Filipinos endured threats and violence from goons hired by big agriculture.

He was able to persuade Cesar Chavez, leader of the Mexican farm workers to join the strike two weeks later. The two unions formed the United Farm Workers (UFW).

Because Oct. 25 fell on a Thursday, most of the observances will occur this Saturday or the following weekend. Some of the events honoring the Filipino American labor leader are listed below:

Historian Dawn Mabalon was working on
 this book when she passed away.

ALAMEDA
Saturday, Oct. 27
Bohol Circle, 1815 Union Street
Free Festival
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

CARSON
Saturday, Oct. 27
Veterans Park, 23400 Moneta Ave.
Free parade and festival
9 a.m.- 12 p.m.

CHULA VISTA

Saturday, Oct. 27

Otay Ranch Town Center, 2015 Birch Road

Free Fiesta
12 p.m.-4 p.m.

LOS ANGELES

Saturday, Oct. 27

1648 Beverly Blvd

Free Parade

9 a.m.-10 p.m.

SAN FRANCISCO

Saturday, Oct. 27

Museum of Modern Art, 151 Third St.

Free Book Launch of the late Dawn Mabalon's "Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong"

1 p.m.-3 p.m.

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