If there was a march or protest for labor organizing, workers rights, or immigrant rights anywhere in South Texas over the past several decades, you can bet that Jaime Martinez was marching at the front.
Martinez, 70, died on Sunday after a lengthy battle with cancer.
"Jaime Martinez's tireless, lifelong work to advance civil rights and workers' rights changed San Antonio and the nation for the better. Jaime's memory will be forever honored by the city that he called home, ensuring that the legacy of Cesar Chavez will continue to be celebrated long into the future," Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.
Martinez, a Lanier HS graduate, organized workers for the United Farm Workers, the International Organization of Electrical Workers, and the Service Employees International Union, among others, during a long career in activism.He also founded the Cesar Chavez Legal Foundation, named for his mentor, the UFW founder Cesar Chavez, and he is responsible for the creation of the annual Cesar Chavez March and holiday in San Antonio. Martinez is also responsible for the renaming of Durango Blvd in honor of Chavez.
"For these and many other accomplishments, I can say that we have lost a hero and a significant voice for the people. May his legacy live on in our hearts and minds," said West Side Councilwoman Shirley Gonzalez.
Martinez had suffered from cancer since 2012. When the west side street where he grew up with renamed Jaime Martinez Place in his honor in 2014, he said openly it was because of his cancer, and he would prefer to see the honor while he was still alive.
Appropriately, there will be a march in honor of Martinez through the west side on Thursday.
PHOTO' MARTINEZ FAMILY