LAFAYETTE – On Friday, April 5, community members will pay tribute to civil rights leader Cesar Chavez during Lafayette’s ninth annual “Seeds of Justice” march and rally coordinated by Lafayette youth and University of Colorado Boulder students.
The event will commence at 4 p.m. with a community march outside of Escuela Bilingüe Pioneer (101 E. Baseline Road) and be followed by a rally and free community carnival at LaMont Does Park (500 E. South Boulder Road). The event will conclude at approximately 7 p.m.
In addition to paying tribute to Cesar Chavez’s values of economic justice, non-violence and respect, the event will raise awareness about salient social justice issues. The rally will feature remarks by United States Congressman Jared Polis and performances by Project YES’ Dance for Social Change group, Su Teatro, Lafayette community members Roberta Maldonado and David Young, and critically acclaimed poet and hip-hop artist Molina Speaks.
Local Lafayette youth who participate in the University of Colorado Boulder’s Public Achievement program, the Lafayette Youth Advisory Committee or the Lafayette Latino Advisory Board will also share remarks. All three organizations are co-sponsoring the event.
“It has been an honor to collaborate with Centaurus High School students to plan this event, which provides an opportunity to not only celebrate Cesar Chavez, but perhaps more importantly identify ways in which to maintain his legacy through meaningful dialogue and action,” said SJ Seifert, CU-Boulder senior and Public Achievement coach.
The CU-Boulder Public Achievement program is administered by the Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement with support from INVST Community Studies, the School of Education and CU-Boulder Outreach Committee. Launched in January 2008 as part of a statewide civic engagement initiative, Public Achievement currently involves more than 70 CU-Boulder undergraduates and 200 K-12 students at Columbine Elementary School in North Boulder and Centaurus High School and Escuela Bilingüe Pioneer in Lafayette.
The Lafayette Youth Advisory Committee engages Lafayette youth in outreach, advisory, and educational opportunities through solutions-based discourse and action in their community. In addition, the Committee advises the City Council on youth related issues and other relevant topics and fosters youth leadership and civic participation in the greater community. Representing five local middle and high schools, 20 students currently comprise the Lafayette Youth Advisory Committee.
The Lafayette Latino Advisory Board reviews, acts upon and advises the City Council about the needs of the Latino community in Lafayette, as well as seeks to promote and encourage Latino community engagement and civic involvement.
For more information visit: http://www.colorado.edu/publicachievement/Resources/PDFs/2013%20Cesar%20Chavez%20Flyer.pdf