Imperial County celebrates at Cesar Chavez event
BRAWLEY — Music filled the Cattle Call Arena on Saturday night as hundreds danced for the Cesar Chavez Community Celebration.
The music was one of the main parts of the event, said Eric Reyes, executive director of the Institute for Socio-Economic Justice, which put on the event.
“In the Mexican community, we celebrate life in many different ways, but central to all of the Mexican-American community has always been music,” he said.
Cesar Chavez showed that people from humble beginnings can do great things, Reyes said.
“He has impacted all of this community, all of California and all of the agricultural community for improved conditions for people who work hard and deserve respect and dignity,” Reyes said.
Two people were recognized for their impact on the community and by the history-making partnership, Reyes said on the stage as he presented the community service award to Sheriff Raymond Loera and Undersheriff Fred Miramontes. The two make up the first Mexican-American sheriff and undersheriff team in Imperial County.
Miramontes, who accepted the award, said that this award was special for him.
“Cesar Chavez kind of set a vision to help the communities trust and respect,” he said. “I think for us in law enforcement, Sheriff Loera and myself as the undersheriff, we kind of follow that lead in our goal of safety and service.”
Overall the event was a lot of fun for Juan Gallegos of NALEO Education Fund, which a nonpartisan organization of
the nation’s more than 6,000 Latino elected and appointed officials.
He doesn’t often see nighttime events like the Cesar Chavez Community Celebration, he said. The event is like a trademark for the Institute of Socio-Economic Justice.
“This, by far, is pretty good,” he said.
Throughout the night and between the bands entertaining the crowd, presentations were made on different subjects, like the U.S. Census and awards. Much was said, but the resounding phrase was the United Farm Workers motto, “Sí se puede.”
>> Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.