• April 24th, 2025
  • Thursday, 04:18:06 AM

Denver Will Gather for 21st Annual César Chávez Celebration


Photo: CEF/The Weekly Issue/El Semanario The César Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver celebrates their 21st annual celebration honoring the late labor leader with an in-person event on April 2.

 

The César Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver (CCPJC) began a tradition honoring César Estrada Chávez in 2002. The memory of the late labor leader and humanitarian continues in Colorado on Saturday, April 2nd, with an in-person celebration at Cesar Chavez Park in north Denver. The theme of the 21st Annual celebration is “Community Resilience as an Essential Pathway to Justice”.

 

This year’s celebration will begin with a traditional Catholic mass at 8:30am, St. John Francis Regis Chapel, 3333 Regis Boulevard, Denver, CO 80221. Masks optional (please continue to check for any (changes/updates).

The traditional Marcha will begin after the Mass at 10am, starting from the Regis Chapel to César E. Chávez Park, on 4131 N. Tennyson St., Denver, CO 80212.

 

The program and awards ceremony will begin at 11:15am at César Chávez Park. 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: Alondra Gil Gonzales will be honored with the Youth Female Leadership Award; Jose Palacios Casillas is the recipient of the Youth Male Leadership Award; Lisa Lucero will be honored with the Adult Female Leadership Award; Anthony Garcia, Sr., will receive the Adult Male Leadership Award; Carlos Castañeda will be presented with the Anciano Leadership Award; and Christina Sigala will receive the Anciana Leadership Award. The Community Awards will be presented to the Acequia Institute and Su Teatro.

 

The celebration will feature food and entertainment, and this week the CCPJC announced “Los Mocochetes” will perform at the event.

 

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 two decades, 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 Regis University, the César E. Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver, Teocalli Sacred Heart of the Mountain, UFCW Local 7, Councilwoman Amanda P. Sandoval, The Weekly Issue/El Semanario, Metropolitan State University of Denver Chicana/o Studies CHS/JTOH, the Denver Classroom Teachers Association—DCTA, and Lily’s Cocina.

 

 

For further information visit the César Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver’s facebook page.

 

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