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Community Celebrates Official Opening of La Raza Park
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Linking the problems of employer-based healthcare and homelessness, he also said one reason for home insecurity is medical gether in bankruptcies under our current system. f “quality While he didn’t invoke Senator Bernie er hearing Sanders as a reason for running, he did 0 holidays say Sanders’ policies are “values I carry d, experi- as well.” without Walia is the son of immigrants who ing down moved from India to Seattle, moving again Also, that to Colorado when he was 11. Walia credits a lot of us his parents, who worked in the service ine. dustry and then as educators, with giving h recently him the opportunities in life that have led were back him to teach English in Japan, to a career in y parties, politics, and now to his run for office. ost of the A student when the September 11, 2001, s missing attacks occurred, Walia said the following rides her weeks and months shaped his views of race up several relations in the U.S. Overnight, friends and ing quar- neighbors suddenly saw him and his famwere slow ily as people who “looked like a terrorist.” hey seem That drove him to become more involved with Indian and AAPI organizations, both e I dare for solace and to bridge racial divides, we need work that would eventually bring him to ween the Hickenlooper’s office. the pan- Once more rare, primaries are increasarp speed ingly common at both the state and fedto be ex- eral levels. Last election, Republican West ways pro- Slope Congressman Scott Tipton lost to e lately all insurgent candidate, now Congresswoman, oor where Lauren Boebert. In Democratic primaries y buzzing in Denver in recent years, former Repren to nor- sentative Rosenthal lost his seat to now Was it all Representative Emily Sirota and Denver’s State Board of Education member Dr. Val althy one, Flores lost a primary to now SBoE member ourselves. Dr. Lisa Escárcega. ings? In recent years, Congresswoman Dehow our Gette has faced and defeated two other more con- primary challengers. In 2016, she defeated rom what geologist (not 90s TV actor) Chuck Norris CMD_summerjoy_9.625x7.75_a.pdf uring the 86.4% - 12.6%. Two years later, she faced1 a m tried to better funded challenger in Saira Rao, who still hapend asked ome more k to com-
By The Denver North Star Staff
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PHOTO BY DAVID SABADOS
Neal Walia, with family standing behind him, speaks at his campaign kickoff. mounted a full-fledged opposition campaign, but DeGette won the Democratic nomination 68.2% - 31.8%. Democrats and Unaffiliated Voters who choose a Democratic primary ballot will vote next June. While the state is currently undergoing congressional redistricting, the 1st district, which comprises all of Denver and small pieces of Jefferson and Arapahoe Counties, is unlikely to change dramatically. A heavily Democratic district, this primary election will most likely determine Denver’s federal representation. Congresswoman DeGette’s Campaign Manager Jennie Peek-Dunstone sent a statement in response to being asked about her most recent primary challenger: “Congresswoman DeGette is focused on doing the job that the people of CD 1 elect6/1/21 ed her 3:45 to do.PMJust since January she served as an impeachment manager; sponsored
key climate change legislation to control deadly methane gas emissions and stood next to President Biden when he signed the bill; as co-chair of the Pro-choice Caucus, ensured that for the first time in 45 years the abortion restrictions in the Hyde Amendment are stripped from the federal budget; passed the PAW act which protects over 3 million acres of federal land through the House; secured millions of dollars in the appropriations bills for funding for homelessness and housing in the Denver area; and has introduced several critical pieces of health care legislation. And there is more to do on health care, climate, the minimum wage and more. Right now Congresswoman DeGette is focused on getting things done for Denver and our country.” The Denver North Star will be following this election as we approach the primary next year.
hile the park has been officially called La Raza for a few months and unofficially for a few decades, the new sign proclaiming the name was met with celebration from the several hundred attendees at the June 20th dedication. In addition to the sign, the park has a new sculpture donated by Councilwoman Amanda P. Sandoval’s office. The ceremony included land blessings, dancers, and speeches from the councilwoman and other city leaders. The celebration marked the end of a decades-long fight in North Denver to change the name from Columbus Park. The new sign was accidentally installed in April, but then removed the same day by city officials who wanted to wait to host a celebration in conjunction with the installation. For a comprehensive history of the park and the campaign to change the name, check out the July 2020 issue of The Denver North Star, still available online.
PHOTO BY DAVID SABADOS
Dancers were part of the festivities at the park's dedication
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Make your reservation today! mychildsmuseum.org/safer-play The Denver North Star
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