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A group of Mexicans, led by the announcer and journalist of Hecho en CaliforniaMarcos Gutiérrez, managed to have the celebration of the "Cry of Independence" that is commemorated every September 15, held on that day at the San Francisco City Hall, and not on September 13, as was planned.
A united community achieves much more. In recent days, it was announced that this very significant event for residents or citizens with Mexican roots in the United States would not take place on September 15, as usual, but on September 13.
According to Marco Gutiérrez, the mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, did not have time for the celebration of the Grito de Independencia on September 15, and she also wanted to ring the bell on this important commemoration, which is why the celebration had been moved to September 13.
Last Friday, August 9, Marcos spoke with the recently appointed Mexican consul in San Francisco, Ana Luisa Vallejo Barba, who said during her radio show that she did not consider it a lack of respect.
"It's not about being disrespectful, far from it. The truth is that it's not as simple as thinking that there is a political interest in ringing a bell, it's not that simple. I think there are also budgetary implications, there are security issues and other relevant ones that we have to consider," he said at the time.
The Mexican official said that in many other Mexican representations around the world, the commemoration does not take place exactly on the date, as it depends on many circumstances.
"It is not a lack of respect or an unpatriotic issue, on the contrary, it is about wanting to contribute and collaborate with all the people who are interested in celebrating the National Day and we are going to be in many communities," Vallejo Barba stressed.
However, the Mexican community or those of Mexican origin living in the city of San Francisco expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision to celebrate it days before the traditional date, as they say it is disrespectful.
Vallejo said that September is a patriotic month for Mexicans, and that he will attend various celebrations in many communities in Northern California, such as Santa Rosa and Redwood City.
"There will be shouts from before the national holiday until the end of September, that is why we call September the patriotic month. So, I would rather invite you all to participate in all the activities from the first day of September until the end so that we can all celebrate our month with enthusiasm and pride," he concluded.
Things did not end there, and driven by the requests, Marco took on the task of finding other leaders of the Mexican community to join him in protesting this change; the first idea was to go to the San Francisco City Hall with matlachines, horses, mariachis and an image alluding to the discontent over the lack of respect, days before September 13.
However, it was not necessary; the pressure and discontent reached the office of Mayor Breed, who had to back down on her decision and accept that the Grito de Independencia de México will be held on its traditional date, September 15.
There is no formal itinerary yet, however, this commemoration is expected to be special for the entire Mexican and Latino community in the area.
Marcos Gutiérrez, along with sociologist and journalist Manuel Ortiz, agreed during the Península 360 Press radio program in collaboration with Hecho en California this Tuesday, that this change in decision is just a sample of what a community can achieve when it is united, demanding respect for its traditions, customs and national flags.
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