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In Mexico and other places in Latin America, it is believed that when a red ribbon is tied to a seed known as 'deer's eye', the powers of the amulet supposedly grow to protect whoever carries it. With this in mind, Casa Círculo Cultural (CCC) held a multicultural and artistic event at its headquarters on Middlefield Street, in North Fair Oaks, on the afternoon of Thursday, January 17. It was called "Tied by art: Caring for the future of our community."
CCC shared the responsibility of organizing the event with the organizations Global Exchange, Social Focus and this media outlet, Península 360 Press, which was attended by the co-director of Global Exchange, Marco Castillo; the consul of Mexico in San Francisco, Ana Luisa Vallejo Barba; the councilman of Redwood City, Jeff Gee; and the former Latino mayor of Half Moon Bay, Joaquín Jiménez, among the dozens of people who participated.
It was one of the first relevant public events in 2025 for CCC, a year that anticipates many challenges for immigrant communities, especially in Latin America. For this reason, and opening the night, Fernando Escartiz unveiled a sculpture entitled precisely “Ojo de Venado.”
According to Fernando, the deer's eye is a tropical seed named for its appearance and considered a good luck charm. "It serves to protect you from bad energies, and the belief is that it works better if someone gives it to you. That's why we thought about giving this sculpture to the community," the Mexican artist told P360Press. He created the work in two weeks with his group from Escartiz Studio.
The sculpture is made of wood, polystyrene foam or styrofoam, wood and concrete.
However, Escartiz clarified that “its meaning is symbolic: what will protect us from this character who is coming is unity and, in addition, informing us of our rights,” he said, referring to the country's new president and his anti-immigrant policies.
“Ojo de Venado” was blessed by the Esplendor Azteca Xipe Tótec dance group from East San José, in a ritual ceremony that took place, like the rest of the evening, in the main hall of CCC.
Following a speech by Councilman and until a few months ago Mayor of Redwood City, Jeff Gee, the presentation of the Casa Círculo Cultural Folk Dance Group directed by Eduardo Torres and a demonstration of the martial art of Tae Kwon Do by Master Gerardo Ortiz's group, those present were ready to watch the documentary presented by Global Exchange and titled “#Ignoradxs Never Again.”
Marco Castillo, co-director of the Global Exchange organization, who traveled from New York to attend, told Peninsula 360 Press that this twenty-minute documentary, directed by Claudia Loredo and Xicoténcatl Santana, recounts the struggle of indigenous peoples of the United States and Mexico, African Americans and Afro-Mexicans, and relatives of missing persons and victims of violence in both countries to overcome the differences that divide them and build a movement where they share a common table: the People's Movement for Peace and Justice (MPPJ).
“After seeing it,” we had some questions with the people, a small conversation,” Castillo continued. “This movement is binational and does not (take into account) the border, precisely in the face of a president who is promoting and threatening to divide our countries, to separate them further, to separate families.”
We are aware that this is not the answer, that it will bring more problems, said the co-director of Global Exchange. What is the answer is “the strengthening of ties between the two nations, because we have a shared history and roots,” and he agreed with Escartiz that “united, we all win.”
Former Half Moon Bay Mayor Joaquín Jiménez, who spoke to the event participants after the screening of the documentary, confirmed that he remains involved in community work for farmers and immigrants in the coastal city.
Regarding the feelings of Latinos living in the area, Jimenez said that since the raids in Bakersfield were reported, many people have been calling him with obvious concern.
“We started to distribute the red cards that inform people about their rights, mainly to remain silent if they are detained, not to sign anything, and if they are detained, to ask for their lawyer,” said the Mexican-American activist and politician. “Even so, there is fear of going out on the street, of going to work, children do not want to go to school,” which will affect, he said, not only the community but also the economy.
But people should know, he stressed, “that they have our support, that of the city, the county, the state” at this crossroads. “And that the important thing is that they know their rights.”
Another personality who addressed the audience at the event was the representative of Mexico in San Francisco, Consul Ana Luisa Vallejo.
“At this time when we are worried about what we may face, we must not let ourselves fall into anxiety or fear, but rather continue with our lives with the strength of being united in a community,” said the diplomat.
She invited Mexicans to come to the consulate, “where we are prepared to advise them on legal, health, and educational issues… In addition, Mexico is also prepared in case we have to return to the places where we were born, with new opportunities,” said the consul, adding that her countrymen “should not lose the drive that has led them to seek a better life for themselves and for the generations to come,” despite the adversities that may arise.
Those present enjoyed delicious food prepared by Karla Peralta - chicken tinga and shrimp ceviche - and the night ended with the music of Enrique Ramírez of “Los Peludos” and his guitar.
To learn more about the work of the Global Exchange organization, visit www.globalexchange.org
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