City of San Antonio’s Good Friday Decision To Celebrate Cesar Chavez
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON GOOD FRIDAY Friday, April 3, 2026
San Antonio, TX — The San Antonio Family Association (SAFA) today issued a direct condemnation of the City of San Antonio (CoSA) and its Mayor and Council’s actions following a series of decisions that, taken together, reveal a troubling pattern of disregard for Christian faith, misuse of taxpayer funds, and progressive ideological activism.
At the center of the controversy is the City’s decision to move its Cesar Chavez Day observance to Good Friday — one of the most holy, sacred, and solemn days in Christianity.
“This was not accidental. It was a conscious choice,” said SAFA President Mike Knuffke. “The City deliberately selected the day Christians commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus Christ to instead celebrate a political figure. That is not just insensitive, it is an unmistakable act of disrespect toward the faith of the majority of San Antonians.”
SAFA leaders emphasized that this decision does not stand alone, but rather fits into a broader pattern of actions by City leadership.
In recent months, the City has allocated approximately $170,000 in taxpayer funds toward the installation of rainbow-painted crosswalks and sidewalks tied to what officials describe as a “Pride Heritage District.”
SAFA strongly criticized these efforts as ideological projects imposed on the public without broad consensus or even approval by a Council vote.
“Taxpayer-funded rainbow sidewalks and crosswalks are not infrastructure — they are political messaging,” Knuffke said. “When combined with the attempt to manufacture a so-called ‘heritage district’ based on ideology rather than authentic history, it becomes clear that City Hall is prioritizing activism over unity.” SAFA Board Member Patrick Von Dohlen stated that the convergence of these decisions exposes a deeper issue within city leadership.
“What we are witnessing is not isolated poor judgment, it is a pattern,” Von Dohlen said. “On one hand, the City elevates ideological displays with public funds. On the other, it chooses one of Christianity’s holiest days to stage a civic and political celebration. That combination reveals a growing hostility toward the religious foundations of this community.”
Von Dohlen also pointed to ongoing public concerns surrounding Cesar Chavez himself, arguing that the City failed to exercise due diligence or transparency. “There are serious and widely discussed concerns about Chavez that warrant reflection, not blind celebration, especially on a day of profound religious significance,” he said. “Instead, City leaders rushed forward, ignoring both the facts and the faithful.” San Antonio, a city with deep Catholic Christian roots, has long prided itself on its heritage and cultural identity.
SAFA argues that years of actions by City leadership represent a departure from that legacy. “This city was not built on ideological trends or political symbolism,” Knuffke added. “It was built on faith, family, and shared (religious) values. Those foundations are now being sidelined by leaders who appear increasingly disconnected from the people they serve.”
SAFA is calling on City officials to answer key questions: • Why was Good Friday selected for the Cesar Chavez observance? • Why are taxpayer funds being used for ideological installations? • Why is the City advancing divisive initiatives instead of fostering unity and respect?
Von Dohlen concluded with a call for accountability: “San Antonians deserve leadership that respects both their faith and their tax dollars. What we are seeing instead is a pattern of ideological overreach and religious disregard. That is not servant leadership, it is a failure of responsibility.