San Luis Community Honors César Chávez with Call to Action for Immigrant Justice

SAN LUIS, AZ — On Monday, March 31, community members and activists came together in San Luis to honor the life and legacy of civil rights icon César Chávez. The event featured cultural and civic programming, including a community mass, a Know Your Rights training and educational session on Arizona’s immigration laws, and a press conference led by statewide organizations committed to justice and immigrant rights.

The event was organized in collaboration with Rural Arizona Engagement (RAZE), We Are Somos, and community partners. Following the program, attendees gathered to share free pozole and connect with local advocacy efforts.

Speakers addressed the need to protect communities from harmful policies and emphasized education, advocacy, and unity as key tools in building safer neighborhoods. Jhanitzel Bogarin, a Yuma Organizer with RAZE, shared the importance of empowering communities with knowledge and the tools to resist fear-based tactics such as raids and deportations.

“One of the most powerful tools we have in this fight is education,” said Bogarin. “When people understand their rights, they are better equipped to protect themselves and their families… It is in times like these that we find our power in community.”

Bogarin also highlighted RAZE’s Protect Our Pueblos campaign, a grassroots effort to combat misinformation and equip community members with rapid response tools, such as an ICE raid hotline and bilingual Know Your Rights trainings.

Sign created during the United for Justice Rally in San Luis, AZ on March 31, 2025

RAZE Organizing Director Andrea Varela called attention to the current threats facing rural and immigrant communities in Arizona, including harmful legislation targeting undocumented families and restrictions on voting rights. 

“The wellbeing of our community is being attacked… Now, more than ever, is the time to unite and organize,” said Varela.

Varela urged attendees to stay engaged by learning about current legislation, speaking out, and preparing to vote in every election. She stressed the stakes of this year’s legislative session, referencing dangerous proposals such as SB 1164, which would expand local law enforcement collaboration with ICE, and HB 2606, which proposes $50 million to enforce such policies.

The event served not only as a celebration of César Chávez’s values of justice, dignity, and solidarity but also as a reminder that his legacy lives on through action. 

For more information about Rural Arizona Engagement and their ongoing work, visit raze.org. 

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