• March 28th, 2024
  • Thursday, 03:33:02 PM

Denver Celebrates Twentieth Annual César Chávez Celebration


The César Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver (CCPJC) began a tradition honoring the César Chávez in 2002. The memory of the late labor leader and humanitarian continues in Colorado on Saturday, March 27th, with a virtual/online event.

The event will begin with a traditional Catholic mass at 9am, (MST) with both virtual and in-person options (in-person limited to 50 people) or view the mass via zoom. (Note: for zoom option, individuals must register and have a Zoom account to participate; accounts are free https://zoom.us. Register here. )

The CCPJC of Denver program begins at 10:15am, (MST), with a live stream at @CCPJCDenver, featuring keynote speaker, Dolores Huerta, well-known activist/labor leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers.

Each year, the CCPJC of Denver honors individuals and organizations who embody the ideals and vision of César Chávez. The event will present the awards to the following recipients: Ellen Alires Trujillo of Broomfield, CO, who will receive the Anciana Leadership Award. Deborah and Juan Espinoza of Pueblo, CO will be presented with the Anciana/o Leadership Award; Rhonda Solis of Greeley, CO will be given the Female Leadership Award; Mitchell García of Denver, CO will receive the Male Leadership Award; Orlando Moreno of Denver, CO will be honored with the Youth Leadership Award; and the Tepeyac Community Health Center (formerly Clinica Tepeyac) in Denver, CO will be presented with the Organizational Leadership Award.
The theme of the 20th Annual celebration is “Protecting Essential Workers IS Essential Justice.”

In the late 60’s and early 70’s, Chávez led a nation of support for the country’s farmworkers who continually faced abuse, low pay and sometimes no pay, and inhumane working conditions. He created awareness for the people who had no voice, and was instrumental in creating the United Farm Workers (UFW) union, demanding rights for the people of the fields.

In 2001, former Colorado State Representatives Frana Mace and Rob Hernández sponsored a bill to create a state holiday, and former Denver City Councilwoman Ramona Martínez initiated a City holiday in Denver recognizing Chávez and his accomplishments.

Over the past few years, the committee has worked with the City and County of Denver Parks and Recreation to rebuild the César E. Chávez Park in northwest Denver, which in 2015 included the unveiling of a bust featuring the parks namesake. The park was rebuilt to increase access and include cultural icons important to the struggle for equal rights of all people.

This year’s sponsors include the César E. Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver, Teocalli Sacred Heart of the Mountain, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), The Weekly Issue/El Semanario and Manny Rodríguez.

For further information and to participate in the event go to the

César Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver’s facebook page.

 

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