AMID IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT FEARS. YES, IT’S SMALLER, BUT STILL POWERFUL. STILL POWERFUL BECAUSE AS AS LONG AS THERE’S ONE MEXICAN, THERE’S COMMUNITY, THERE WILL BE POWER, THERE WILL BE PRIDE. A NIGHT OF MEXICAN HERITAGE BEING CELEBRATED AT THE STATE CAPITOL. MEXICO, EL GRITO RINGING AT SUNDOWN. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL CULTURE. AS THE CONSUL GENERAL OF MEXICO IN SACRAMENTO WAVES THE MEXICAN FLAG OVER THE BALCONY. IT’S A TRADITION THAT KICKS OFF MEXICO’S INDEPENDENCE DAY. I CAME OUT HERE TO REPRESENT FOR OUR PEOPLE. I THINK RIGHT NOW, MORE THAN USUAL, IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO SHOW OUR PRIDE AND REALLY BE HERE TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO ALSO SHOW NUMBERS. THIS YEAR’S CELEBRATION, NOTABLY SMALLER THAN YEARS PAST. THE GENERAL CONSUL SCALING DOWN THE EVENT OVER FEARS OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. I UNDERSTAND THAT WE’RE LIVING VERY INTERESTING MOMENTS IN TERMS THAT PEOPLE COULD HAVE FEAR. THEY COULD HAVE ANXIETY, THEY COULD FEEL STRUGGLING ABOUT THE NARRATIVES AROUND MIGRATION. THAT’S WHY OTHERS FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS CAME TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY AND CELEBRATE THE MEXICAN HOLIDAY. IT’S JUST IT’S NOT RIGHT. I’M JUST HERE TO SUPPORT. I LOVE THEIR FOOD AND I LOVE THEIR LIKE, OUTFITS. AND I LOVE HOW THEY DRESS. DESPITE THE SCALED DOWN CELEBRATION, MANY CAME OUT FOR THOSE WHO COULDN’T. BUT I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE’S CONCERNS AND I THINK I’M A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THE END OF LIKE, KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE AND THOSE THAT CAN SHOW UP MY COLORS NEVER GOING TO CHANGE MY HEART. ALWAYS IS IN MY COUNTRY. THEY ARE NOT ALONE. WE ARE NOT ALONE. AND WE ARE TOGETHER. EVEN IN MOMENTS LIKE THESE ONES. AND HEY, EVEN OUT HERE FOR THE PAST HOUR OR SO, THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE COMING OUT HERE WITH THEIR MEXICAN FLAGS, TAKING PICTURES IN FRONT OF THE STATE CAPITOL. NOW, THE ENTIRE CELEBRATION DID LAST FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR SO, AND THEY DID HAVE SOME MARIACHIS PLAYING AS WELL. WE’RE LIVE HERE IN DOWNTOW
Mexican Independence Day celebrated at California’s State Capitol amid immigration fears
The State Capitol in California was illuminated in the colors of the Mexican flag Monday to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day. But despite the bright display, other aspects of the special day were toned down.Monday night’s celebration of “El Grito” was scaled back by organizers amid immigration enforcement. “It’s maybe much smaller, but even more special, I would say, because the people that decide to show up can celebrate. It’s also about showing up about their identity, about their roots, about being proud of being Mexican,” said Christian Tonatiuh González Jiménez, the Consul General of Mexico in Sacramento.During the civic ceremony, the Consul waved the Mexican flag over the balcony, a tradition that marks the beginning of Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations. Despite the scaled-down event, the spirit of Mexican heritage was celebrated at the State Capitol.”It’s smaller but still powerful. Still powerful, because as long as there’s one Mexican, there’s community, there will be power, there will be pride,” Jiménez said.The celebration, which lasted about an hour, included vendors selling Mexican flags and food. Many attendees expressed their support for the community and the importance of showing pride in their heritage.”I came out here to represent for our people. I think right now, more than usual, it’s very important to show our pride and really be here together as a community to also show numbers,” said Karen Izquierdo.The Consul General noted the scaled-down event was due to fears of immigration enforcement.”I understand that we’re living in very interesting moments in terms that people could have fear, they could have anxiety, they could be struggling with the narratives around migration,” he said.Others from different backgrounds also came to support the community.”It’s just it’s not right. I’m just here to support,” said one supporter.Another added, “I love their food and I love their outfits, and I love how they dress.”Despite the smaller celebration, many came out for those who couldn’t.”I understand, you know, people’s concerns. And I think I’m a little bit more on the end of like keep everybody safe and those that can show up,” said Izquierdo. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
The State Capitol in California was illuminated in the colors of the Mexican flag Monday to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day. But despite the bright display, other aspects of the special day were toned down.
Monday night’s celebration of “El Grito” was scaled back by organizers amid immigration enforcement.
“It’s maybe much smaller, but even more special, I would say, because the people that decide to show up can celebrate. It’s also about showing up about their identity, about their roots, about being proud of being Mexican,” said Christian Tonatiuh González Jiménez, the Consul General of Mexico in Sacramento.
During the civic ceremony, the Consul waved the Mexican flag over the balcony, a tradition that marks the beginning of Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations. Despite the scaled-down event, the spirit of Mexican heritage was celebrated at the State Capitol.
“It’s smaller but still powerful. Still powerful, because as long as there’s one Mexican, there’s community, there will be power, there will be pride,” Jiménez said.
The celebration, which lasted about an hour, included vendors selling Mexican flags and food. Many attendees expressed their support for the community and the importance of showing pride in their heritage.
“I came out here to represent for our people. I think right now, more than usual, it’s very important to show our pride and really be here together as a community to also show numbers,” said Karen Izquierdo.
The Consul General noted the scaled-down event was due to fears of immigration enforcement.
“I understand that we’re living in very interesting moments in terms that people could have fear, they could have anxiety, they could be struggling with the narratives around migration,” he said.
Others from different backgrounds also came to support the community.
“It’s just it’s not right. I’m just here to support,” said one supporter.
Another added, “I love their food and I love their outfits, and I love how they dress.”
Despite the smaller celebration, many came out for those who couldn’t.
“I understand, you know, people’s concerns. And I think I’m a little bit more on the end of like keep everybody safe and those that can show up,” said Izquierdo.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel