Thousands to Attend “Communities United Multicultural Festival” Celebrating Diversity and Right to Vote

The festival, which will foster understanding across communities by featuring music, performances, art, food and vendors from many different cultures, is a powerful rebuke to the alarming rise in hate crimes and divisive rhetoric

WHAT: Communities United Multicultural Festival

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, 4-9 p.m.

WHERE: Clark County Government Center Amphitheater
                500 S Grand Central Pkwy, Las Vegas

On Saturday, Sept. 9, thousands of Nevadans are expected to attend the massive “Communities United Multicultural Festival” which celebrates the state’s diversity and encourages civic engagement, voter participation, and understanding across racial and identity lines. The festival will feature thrilling live performances, music, art, children’s activities, food and vendors from many diverse cultures.

The event is a powerful rebuke and antidote to divisive rhetoric and the recent alarming rise in hate crimes, which have reached the highest levels on record. 

Over 100 partners are helping to coordinate the sprawling festival, including major unions, companies and grassroots organizations from the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander; Black; Latino; indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities. In addition to the cultural festivities, there will be opportunities to register to vote; get information about key electoral issues; and learn about citizenship training.   

“The message and vision of our Communities United Multicultural Festival is one of joy, harmony and hope — that Americans won’t let ourselves be divided by hate, but rather we celebrate our diverse cultures,” said Grace Vergara-Mactal, Executive Director of Nevada’s largest healthcare and public service union, SEIU Local 1107, which is hosting the festival along with community partners.

This year’s celebration has taken on even more urgency as Nevadans have confronted: soaring hate crimes such as the attack a few months ago on an elderly Filipino man; Clark County School District police brutality against Black students; and increasingly hostile rhetoric against the rights of women, communities of color and LGBTQ+ people. Organizers are aiming to counteract this division and discord, and create an event full of creativity and inspiration to generate positive social change.   

“We live in a country that celebrates diversity and unity, and it’s crucial that we remember that,” said Gloria T. Caoile, co-founder of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations. “America’s strength lies in its open arms that welcome people from all walks of life. Our unique stories and backgrounds only add to the rich tapestry of our nation. People of color, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ individuals are integral threads in the fabric of our communities, weaving in their contributions every day to help Nevada flourish. Our Communities United Multicultural Festival serves as a beacon of recognition and respect for these diverse contributions, sending a resounding message of unity.”

“Our Communities United Multicultural Festival is occurring one year out from historic elections and intends to motivate people to vote at unprecedented levels, especially union members, youth and people of color,” said Michelle Maese, President of SEIU Local 1107. “Nevada is one of the most critical battleground states in the nation, with elections next year for congressional offices, state senate and assembly, the courts, school board, Board of Regents, mayor and city council, in addition to the presidency and multiple ballot measures. We’re declaring that Nevadans refuse to fall for the politics of division and are instead uniting around our shared values.” 

Partner organizations include:

SEIU Nevada Local 1107 is the largest healthcare and public service union in the state, representing nearly 20,000 workers. Together, SEIU 1107 members fight for good union jobs, quality services and a better quality of life for all working Nevadans.

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