Denver Artists Paint Over César Chávez Mural to Highlight Women's Voices

Westwood community members gather to reclaim their narrative amid misconduct allegations against the civil rights leader.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:12am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A warm, cinematic painting depicting a solitary mural of César Chávez on the side of a building, with the mural partially obscured by shadows and sunlight, conveying a sense of nostalgia and the complex legacy of the civil rights leader.As the Chicano movement grapples with allegations against its iconic leader, local artists in Denver reclaim their community's narrative by painting over a César Chávez mural to highlight the stories of women.Denver Today

Artists in Denver's Westwood neighborhood painted over a mural of César Chávez, responding to recent sexual misconduct allegations against the late civil rights leader. The event, organized under the name "El Grito de Westwood – Reclaiming Nuestra Voz," brought community members together to highlight the stories and voices of women in the Chicano movement that often go unheard. The new mural, planned for Cinco de Mayo, will be decided on by the community.

Why it matters

The decision to paint over the Chávez mural comes amid growing scrutiny over the civil rights leader's alleged inappropriate behavior with young women and minors. This has led to the cancellation of César Chávez Day events in Denver and a community process to rename city assets that bear his name. The Westwood artists see this as an opportunity to rewrite their own narrative and center the experiences of women in the Chicano movement.

The details

Local artist Alina Rivera, known as "Leenz," led the effort alongside two other female artists to paint over the Chávez mural on the side of Kahlo's Restaurant on Morrison Road. Rivera, who grew up in Westwood, said the decision was not about erasing history, but rather highlighting the stories of women that often go unheard. The new mural, planned for Cinco de Mayo, will be decided on by the community.

  • On April 16, 2026, artists in Denver's Westwood neighborhood painted over a mural of César Chávez.
  • The new mural is planned to be painted on Cinco de Mayo, 2026.

The players

Alina Rivera

A local artist in Denver's Westwood neighborhood, known as "Leenz," who led the effort to paint over the César Chávez mural.

Dolores Huerta

The co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association with César Chávez in 1962, who said she was a victim of sexual misconduct by Chávez on two separate occasions in the 1960s.

United Farm Workers union

The union that Chávez led until his death in 1993, which announced it was canceling all César Chávez Day events, citing allegations of inappropriate behavior with young women and minors.

Amanda Sandoval

A Denver City Councilwoman who confirmed that organizers for the César Chávez Peace and Justice Committee of Denver canceled the city's annual César Chávez march.

Mike Johnston

The Mayor of Denver who announced that the city will rename César Chávez Park and start a community process to have conversations about how the holiday and city assets that bear Chávez's name will be permanently renamed.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are not trying to erase history, or that he was not a trailblazer in the Chicano movement. We are trying to highlight a lot of stories that go unheard, especially when it comes to women in the Chicano movement.”

— Alina Rivera, Local artist

“These disturbing allegations involve inappropriate behavior by Cesar Chavez with young women and minors; they are shocking, indefensible, and something we are taking seriously.”

— United Farm Workers union

What’s next

The new mural is planned to be painted on Cinco de Mayo, 2026, with the community coming together to decide what it will look like.

The takeaway

This event highlights the ongoing reckoning within the Chicano movement around the legacy of its leaders, particularly in light of allegations of misconduct. It also demonstrates the power of local artists and community members to reclaim their narrative and center the experiences of marginalized voices.