• March 19th, 2024
  • Tuesday, 04:56:38 AM

Denver Will Gather for 22nd Annual César Chávez Celebration


Foto: Chanel Ward for El Semanario El Comité de Paz y Justicia César Chávez de Denver celebra su 22ª edición en honor al fallecido líder sindical el 1 de abril.

 

 

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 1st, with an in-person celebration at Cesar Chavez Park in north Denver. The theme of the 22nd Annual celebration is “Reclaiming Male Responsibility Through Nonviolence”.

 

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.
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. There will be a water station on 46th Ave. at Lowell.

 

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: Aubrey N. Valencia will be honored with the Adult Female Leadership Award; Manuel Almaguer will receive the Adult Male Leadership Award; José Lara will be presented with the Anciano Leadership Award; and Angela García will receive the Anciana Leadership Award. The Community Awards will be presented to the Storytellers Project and special recognition to Marguerite Salazar. The celebration will feature food and entertainment.

 

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, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 68, Councilwoman Amanda P. Sandoval, The Weekly Issue/El Semanario, Sociedad Proteccion Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos (SPMDTU), Charlene Barrientos, Carpenters Union 555, AGIF 5281, Lisa Williams LLC, American Family, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Estevan Flores, Gene Lucero, Jim Garcia, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), Diana, Noah, Ezrah & Noah Jr López-Atencio, Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA), Niagara Bottling and Blazing Cloud LLC.

 

 For further information visit the César Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver’s facebook page. For park vendor information, contact Manuel Lopez del Rio at mlopezdelrio10@gmail.com or 909-270-6969 to reserve your space.