Cesar Chavez’s birthday is today—a day
of gratitude for all people and all animals
Cesar, of course, is best known for founding the United Farm Workers
and leading laborers to stand up for their rights through non-violent
means. He was strongly influenced by St. Francis and Gandhi and
dedicated his life to economic and social justice, civil rights, and
peace. His legacy continues to inspire people all over the world.
He understood that animal rights are
human rights. They cannot be separated.
But his activism did not end with human beings. He saw what we
see, that animal rights and human rights are intimately
interconnected. One cannot be achieved without the other.
He was a vegetarian for the last 25 years of his life and for many of
those years he eliminated dairy and eggs as well. He did not hold
back about his passion for non-violence toward animals. He spoke often
to his followers about the importance of compassion for all life,
because “
that is the basis for peace.”
In Defense of Animals gave him a
Lifetime Achievement Award
In 1992, he was given a
Lifetime
Achievement Award by
In
Defense of Animals. In his acceptance speech Chávez
proclaimed, “We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to make
all people understand that animals are fellow creatures, that we must
protect them and love them as we love ourselves. And that’s the basis
for peace. The basis for peace is respecting all creatures. . . . We
cannot hope to have peace until we respect everyone; respect ourselves
and respect animals and all living things. . . . We know we cannot
defend and be kind to animals until we stop exploiting them: exploiting
them in the name of science, exploiting animals in the name of sport,
exploiting animals in the name of fashion, and yes, exploiting animals
in the name of food.”
A Prayer for the week
We give thanks for Cesar Chavez and the many courageous people who have
laid the foundation for today’s animal liberation movement and shown
the world that humanity’s longing for peace will only be fulfilled when
we stop violence toward all life. Their passion and vision fills
us with strength and hope for this work. Divine Love lives in
every heart, and because of that, we know that one day all beings will
be free and happy and at peace. And so it is.
With Love, peace, and gratitude from Judy, and Will, Madeleine, and the Circle of Compassion team.
If you haven’t already done so, please join us at the Prayer Circle for Animals facebook page.
(Your donations allow us to continue and expand this prayer ministry)
