The city of Los Angeles has declared June 20 as "Cheech Marin Day" to honor the iconic comedian, actor, and advocate for Chicano art. City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez led the motion, recognized unanimously by the City Council, according to ABC7. The celebration coincides with the third anniversary of the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture in Riverside. Marin, noted for his part in forming the comedy duo Cheech & Chong in the 1970s, has maintained a presence in the film industry and gave voice to characters in popular animated movies like "The Lion King," "Cars," and its sequels.
The Los Angeles City Council convened on June 20 to offer formal recognition to Cheech Marin, whose contributions in entertainment and the arts span decades. "Thank you very much, it's a great honor to receive this award, especially because I'm a native son of Los Angeles, as are my parents," Marin told CBS News Los Angeles. The date of the recognition marks an alignment with the founding of Marin's namesake center in Riverside, which is noted as the first dedicated space for Mexican-American or Chicano art in North America. His center houses an expansive collection of over 700 pieces of Chicano art originally from Marin's personal collection, as stated by FOX LA.
In a celebration of the local son and cultural icon, Los Angeles acknowledges Marin's deep roots in the city's soil. Marin grew up in South Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley and has contributed to the cultural tapestry through his comedy, directorial work, acting, and pioneering efforts in uplifting Chicano art. "You don't get any respect by throwing rocks and bricks and Molotov cocktails, you gain respect by showing who you really are and by upholding the community, and that's what I've tried to do all my life," he emphasized in a speech obtained by NBC Los Angeles.
Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez reflected on Marin's legacy and enduring relevance, describing his work as reflective of societal truths. "It speaks to the salience of Cheech's work decades later and his ability to show us through comedy and art the truth of this society," he stated, according to CBS News Los Angeles. Marin's directorial debut "Born in East LA" was cited as an example of his satirical approach that, years later, resonates with the complexities and challenges facing the Chicano community. Drew Oberjuerge of the Riverside Art Museum lauded Marin for "leveraging his celebrity to uplift the Chicano, Latino community and the artists' incredible work."
