DENVER (KDVR) — Monday, March 31 is Cesar Chavez’s birthday and Cesar Chavez Day, which will be marked in Denver with closed offices in honor of his life.
Cesar Chavez Day was proclaimed a federal commemorative holiday in 2014 and honors the activist’s legacy in the civil rights and labor movement during his life. Chavez formed the National Farm Workers Association in 1962, which was later dubbed the United Farm Bureau.
Chavez was also known for using boycotts, marches, strikes and other tactics to garner support and new members for farm labor unions in the U.S. He was also a sailor with the U.S. Navy during World War II, returning from war to fight for freedom in the U.S. agriculture industry alongside Dolores Huerta.
Together, the pair of activists adopted the phrase “Si, se puede,” as a rallying cry during a fast they conducted in 1972. The phrase means “Yes, it can be done” in English and has been hailed as the crux of the pair’s conviction to nonviolent tactics to enact change.
On Monday, most Denver offices will be closed in observation, including the libraries, courts, clerk and recorder’s office and motor vehicle title and registration offices. A full list of what is closed can be found here.
Because it is a holiday, street meters in Denver will be free, but time restrictions still apply. Trash, recycling and compost collection will be provided as normal.
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