Local attorney Juan Lopez was named as one of nine recipients of the 2016 California Peace Award for the 30th Assembly District. He will be recognized for the honor during the Aug. 2 National Night Out in downtown Morgan Hill.
Lopez, a Morgan Hill resident who was born in Arizona and raised in Los Angeles, founded “We The People” in 2014, an organization that defends the civil rights of Morgan Hill residents and promotes multicultural events in the community.
“It is my honor to recognize these truly remarkable individuals and organizations who have made it their mission to promote peace throughout all of our communities,” Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) said. “The commitment and dedication they have demonstrated for their communities exemplify what this award is all about. It’s everyday heroes like these who help keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Lopez, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chicano Studies from UC Berkeley and a law degree from Santa Clara University, served as director of the Latino Student Rights Project from 1994-95 and also worked at the Family Violence Law Center, the first male attorney hired there. He has worked in the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office since 1996, defending indigent clients. Lopez has been a board member of the Community Agency for Resources and Services since 2015.
He is joined as one of two Santa Clara County honorees by Gilroy native Sally Duran Armendariz, a statewide president of the Young Christian Workers and founding board member of the La Isla Pacifica Shelter for women and children.
Other honorees are: in Monterey County, Hijos Del Sol Arts Production in Salinas, Jay Dunn of Salinas, and Luis xago Juarez of Salinas; in San Benito County, Rolan Resendiz of Hollister, and the Youth Alliance of Hollister; and in Santa Cruz County, Jardin Comunitario River Park in Watsonville, and Graciela Vega Cendejas of Watsonville.
Alejo is chairman of the California Latino Legislative Caucus and represents the 30th District in the California State Assembly, which consists of the Salinas Valley, parts of Monterey and San Benito counties, South Santa Clara County and the city of Watsonville in Santa Cruz County.
