After a struggle to recognize the work and importance of the Latino community, especially the Mexican community that lives and/or works in East Palo Alto, its mayor, Ruben Abrica, recalled that the city of East Palo Alto celebrates Mexicanidad by celebrating for the 37th consecutive time the commemoration of the Battle of Puebla, which is remembered every May 5th.
Abrica, who is a Mexican national and became mayor of East Palo Alto, recalled that May 5 has become a community holiday in the area "and I am very proud of that.
In an interview conducted by Marcos Gutiérrez and Manuel Ortiz during the Peninsula 360 Radio program on KIQI, on frequency 1010 AM from San Francisco, California, in collaboration with the program Hecho en California, he congratulated the members of the organizing committee for maintaining the tradition for almost four decades.
In the 1980s, he said, East Palo Alto was a smaller community and there were not as many facilities as there are now, so even people were embarrassed to speak Spanish or to listen to their own music, "sometimes the authorities would look at you like, what's going on here?
"So we decided that we were always going to have a public event to affirm our existence and also have a government that could advocate for all members of the community."
The event, he said, in addition to celebrating Mexican culture serves to "be aware of social issues, which we should all keep in mind to continue improving our community."
"We're going to do a lot more than just get together, not just listen to music to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, but also recognize the past, our ancestors and those who have fought for many of the rights we have here."
This year's celebration will be virtual, just like last year's edition, and will be broadcast via Peninsula 360 Press on May 5, starting at 7:00 pm, where attendees will be able to enjoy various activities.
"We hope for next year to be able to do it again in the park for all families to come and enjoy the culture; to recognize each other, support each other and celebrate our culture, history and be aware of current issues such as housing, economy, education and health."
The official added that the committee has encouraged the Latino community to "stand up for their rights as human beings and to work in solidarity with other communities to rebuild a post-pandemic society that seriously addresses economic inequalities, health, education, housing, jobs and other areas of daily life, while maintaining the historical meaning of Cinco de Mayo."
Challenges to overcome in East Palo Alto
The situation for low-income people in various parts of the Bay Area is not easy, as gentrification and rising property prices have forced many people, mostly essential workers who rent, to relocate to places like the Central Valley, a situation to which East Palo Alto is no stranger.
This was stated by the mayor of that city, who called for a wise election of their representatives in the next elections.
Ruben Abrica openly supports Democrat David Canepa in his campaign for federal Congress, as he did when he ran for councilman and later as supervisor in San Mateo County.
"Hopefully I can win and take the community issues of economic inequality and the immigration issue ?to Washington DC? we need more people who are active on these issues."
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