By Belen Pizarro
True to its 2022 theme, “Community Resilience as an Essential Pathway to Justice”, the 21st Annual César Chávez Celebration featured a community gathering full of pride and spirit.

For the past two years, the César Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver (CCPJC) hosted virtual celebrations due to the pandemic.
It was apparent, after a two-year hiatus, that Colorado activists were primed and ready to uplift their communities, inspired by the work and ideologies of César Chávez.
Hundreds gathered in person on April 2nd to commemorate the late César Chávez with a day-long celebration in Denver, that honored the work of the late labor leader.
The event began with a traditional mass at St. John Francis Regis Chapel, followed by a procession or marcha through the streets of north Denver to the César Chávez Park on 44th Ave., and Tennyson.
Ricardo LaFore, a revered humanitarian presented a passionate speech, urging the younger generations to be present and continue the fight for justice for our people, and all of society.
The CCPJC presented their annual awards to members of the community through an open nomination process. Two youth were presented with Leadership Awards, Alondra Gil Gonzales and José Palacios Casillas.

The awardees are honored for their work in the community that align with Chávez’s efforts in organizing and fighting for the rights of workers. Lisa Lucero and Anthony García, Sr. were honored with the Adult Leadership Awards.
Noted for their dedication to their communities, Carlos Castañeda was presented with the Anciano Leadership Award and Christina Sigala received the Anciana Leadership Award. The CCPJC also recognizes the efforts of organizations in Colorado and this year’s Community Awards were given to the Acequia Institute and Su Teatro.
The event also offered local vendors and organizations an opportunity to present their work, through art, literature and social events.
This year, the Denver Election Commission attended the event with their mobile voter registration bus and information center. Denver’s Clerk and Recorder, Paul D. Lopez, encouraged voter registration and voter participation, and emphasized the importance of voting integrity.
This year’s event was highlighted by a special performance by Denver’s own Los Mocochetes, a Chicano funk band, with music that inspires justice. They will open for the Chicano Batman concert, at the Holiday Theater in Denver this Friday.

The annual event has attracted a genuine core of organizations that support the rights of workers and safety of the community.
A large core of union carpenters from Millwright Local 1607 marched and participated in the event showing solidarity with Chávez and his work with the United Farm Workers. The camaraderie and effectiveness of union workers has been a long-standing value of Local 1607.
UFCW Local 7 has been a long-time sponsor of the Chávez event, and has had a successful year in obtaining a fair and equitable contract for King Sooper grocery workers who went on strike earlier this year.
Colorado’s local chapter of La Ley (Latin American Law Enforcement Association) participated in this year’s march, hoping to bring peaceful unified efforts between police and Latino communities.
The Colorado community is grateful to the CCPJC for its longstanding commitment and dedication to the annual event.
Belén Pizarro is an Intern Reporter with The Weekly Issue/El Semanario.


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