Mesa unveils new plaque honoring civil rights activist and labor leader Cesar Chavez
On Friday, the city of Mesa unveiled a new plaque honoring Yuma-raised civil rights activist and labor leader, Cesar Chavez.
It was part of a larger Cesar Chavez Day celebration at the Eagles Community Center.
Andrea Alicoate works for the city. She said it's all part of an initiative called Together Mesa, which was launched in May of 2022, which embraces Mesa's diversity in an effort to inspire residents to get involved in their community.
“Being able to amplify the voices of very historic figures is just another way to tie those roots back to our community and make sure that our residents and community feel seen and heard and can see themselves represented in all that we do here at the city of Mesa," Alicoate said.
In addition to unveiling the plaque, volunteers participated in a community tree planting ceremony. Mesa Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia said as the son of farm workers, he witnessed first-hand the impact Chavez had on his family and the Latino community.
“More than 30 years after his passing, we are still reaping the effects of his fight for better wages and working conditions for all," Heredia said. "Thanks to activists like Cesar Chavez, Latinos can have a better life and get a shot at reaching the American dream.”
