President Obama Delivers Speech at the César Chávez National Monument

Barack Obama, Helen F. Chavez, Dolores Huerta

With the media arriving bright and early (some as early as 6 a.m.) the press shuttles did a brisk business of departing to the event site every 30 minutes, beginning at 6:45 a.m. until 9:15 a.m., with final media access at 9:45 a.m. More than a few press wore a frown as security directed them to park their cars on a dirt lot located at the end of the road; a lot that by 8 a.m. was already over-crowded.

It seemed that the entire Central Valley – and a good part of Los Angeles too – was waiting for our president, holding their breath. Unfortunates who arrived after 10 a.m. (many from the Los Angeles area) were either turned away by security or forced to park MANY miles away in downtown Keene and take a taxi back to the National Chavez Center in Villa La Paz. More frowns.

Meanwhile, back in Bakersfield…

What: President Obama’s Air Force One arrival

Where: International Terminal at Meadows Field Airport; 1401 Skyway Drive, Bakersfield, CA.

When: Monday, October 8, 2012, 9:45 a.m.

The International Terminal main entrance began filling up with the local press by 7 a.m. sharp, who began their pre-sets from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m., having no access to equipment from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. As this commenced, airport security quickly walked about, loudly announcing: “Members of the media who wish to cover Air Force One’s departure must arrive during the media access time and remain on-site. Media who leave after Air Force One’s arrival will not be able to re-access the site to cover departure!”

The media were given a very narrow window of opportunity to address the president: from 8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Needless to say, this left many a newsman shaking their head in utter disgust, despite our president’s bright smile and easy charm, lol.

President Barack Obama addresses the crowd at the  César E. Chávez National Monument ceremony. Photo courtesy of The Official Barack Obama Website. Copyright 2012.

However, all the time and trouble proved to be well worth it when the president finally took the mic at approximately 11:15 a.m.

President Obama: “Good morning! ¡Buenos Días! ¡Si, Se Puede!” shouted our president, to the cheering crowd… (Video of President Obama’s complete speech can be seen below)

After his speech, President Obama-closely guarded on all sides by tight security-moved about the front of the crowd, smiling broadly and shaking hands as cameras both cheap and expensive snapped away from all directions.

Shortly thereafter, he boarded his black helicopter and rose above the crowd, taking flight.

The widow of the late César Chávez spoke fondly of the private visit our president took with her earlier that day, to the grave site of her late husband, who is buried on the grounds of their home; a home that thanks to President Obama is now a designated National Monument.

¡Si, Se Puede!
Yes, we can!
Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, César Chávez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country’s first permanent agricultural union. His leadership brought sustained international attention to the plight of U.S. farm workers, and secured for them higher wages and safer working conditions. Photo courtesy of The National Park Service. Copyright 2012.

But, unknown to the crowds below, our president had one more visit to make before arriving back at the International Terminal at Meadows Field Airport: the tiny farming town of Porterville, California and its nearby sister towns! Yes, with plenty of time to make it back to Air Force One (not slated to depart until 12:30 p.m.) our president decided to “take a cruise” through our farming communities that border the metropolitan city of Bakersfield.

Startled citizens of Porterville, their jaws dropped in awe, stared up into the skies to see the Presidential helicopter  casually circling the city parameters, with some citizens calling City Hall to report it slowly flying overhead right in their very backyards! It was a surprising and rather touching gesture from our president, as if to say: “If you cannot come out today to see me then I will come out to see you!”

Just another sunny day in the Fall season of the Central Valley of California…

The Los Angeles Beat wishes to thank ‘Bakersfield Now’ for the use of their video of President Barack Obama’s complete, uncut speech for the establishment of the César E. Chávez National Monument in Keene, CA. Copyright 2012. No use or reproduction thereof without the permission of Bakersfield Now.