Bay Area
Richmond’s Cinco de Mayo Festivities to Return After 3-Year Hiatus
Richmond’s 23rd Street Merchants Association is organizing the return of the Cinco de Mayo festival Sunday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year marks the festival’s 17th trip around the sun after a three-year pandemic pause. Rocio Martinez of Rigo’s Auto Sales — whose Rigoberto and Carla Mendoza sit on the association’s board — confirmed the return of the family friendly festival, which will take place along the 23rd Street corridor in Richmond between Clinton Avenue and Rheem Avenue.

By Kathy Chouteau
The Richmond Standard
It’s baaack!
Richmond’s 23rd Street Merchants Association is organizing the return of the Cinco de Mayo festival Sunday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year marks the festival’s 17th trip around the sun after a three-year pandemic pause.
Rocio Martinez of Rigo’s Auto Sales — whose Rigoberto and Carla Mendoza sit on the association’s board — confirmed the return of the family friendly festival, which will take place along the 23rd Street corridor in Richmond between Clinton Avenue and Rheem Avenue. Included among the festivities will be a lip-smacking variety of Latinx food vendors, food trucks and restaurants, as well as music, art/other booths, pony rides and kid-friendly fun.
Two stages — one sponsored by La Raza 93.3 FM on 23rd & Rheem Avenue and another sponsored by Radio Lazer 1510 AM at 23rd & Clinton Avenue — will provide the crowd with live entertainment. Martinez said that at the last time the festival was held in 2019, more than 100,000 people attended.
Chevron Richmond is a major sponsor of the event, with other local businesses like the City of Richmond, Mechanics Bank, AC Transit and more lending their support too. Questions re: the Cinco de Mayo festival may be emailed to Rocio Martinez or Claudia Chavez at 23rdstreetmerchantsa@gmail.com. Please note that alcohol is not permitted, and vendor applications are no longer being accepted.
Also making a return this year is the volunteer-run Cinco de Mayo Peace and Unity Parade, which will take place on May 6, the day before the Richmond festival.
The 15th annual parade starts at 10 a.m. that Saturday at 24th Street and Barrett Avenue in Richmond and ends at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1845 Church Lane in San Pablo.
Buses will return people to Richmond at the parade’s completion. For more info, email 5demayoparade@gmail.com.
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Oakland Post: Week of February 12 – 18, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of February 12 – 18, 2025

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Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee Reflects on Her Career as She Bids Farewell to Congress
“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Outgoing Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) expressed deep gratitude to her constituents and marked the end of her 26-year career in public service.
Lee, who is succeeded by Lateefah Simon, a civil rights and racial justice activist, praised people in her community for their support. She also highlighted her dedication to promoting peace, justice, and equity.
“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.
Throughout her tenure, Lee earned a reputation as a principled lawmaker known for taking bold and sometimes unpopular stances. One of her defining moments came in 2001 when she was the sole member of Congress to vote against the Authorization for the Use of Military Force in response to the September 11 attacks. This decision led to death threats but ultimately cemented her legacy of courage.
Lee’s leadership extended beyond her district, where she fought for social justice, the rights of low-income communities, and global health initiatives. She was a key figure in pushing for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). She was a vocal critic of the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion services.
The Congresswoman also faced significant challenges in her career, including a failed Senate bid in 2024. Yet, Lee’s efforts have paved the way for more excellent representation, with more Black women now elected to Congress. She worked closely with organizations like Representation Matters to encourage more women of color to run for office.
Lee says she looks to the future, confident that the next generation of leaders will continue her unfinished work, particularly on issues like military force and reproductive rights.
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Oakland Post: Week of February 5 – 11, 2025
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