As he has done for 15 years, Aldo went to say morning prayers to the Virgin of Guadalupe in Plaza México, but on this occasion he joined the popular clamor, asking La Morenita to stop the immigration raids.
“What this man (President Trump) is doing is not right. I own a small business and since the raids came, sales began to go down. People no longer wanted to go out, they are afraid,” says Aldo, who asks not to give his full name also out of fear.
He says that the migration operations have affected small businesses.
“We have to pay rent at home, at the business and buy food. Things are so bad that since I am a single dad I had to ask for public assistance because I am not generating enough income. I have never been through a similar situation,” he says dismayed.
Aldo talks that although he has an immigration status, that does not take away his fear that they could detain him and take away his documents.
“That is why we are asking the Virgin to stop these raids,” he says while marching with all fervor in the procession to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe that took place on Friday, December 12 in Plaza México.
The Virgin of Guadalupe is a powerful religious and cultural symbol of Mexico, venerated as the “Queen of Mexico” and the “Empress of America.” The main festival to honor her is held on December 12 of each year.
From seven in the morning, the faithful Guadalupanos began to gather in the traditional town square of Lynwood, California. At eight o’clock, they began the procession. A large image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was at the front of the ceremonial march in which tribute was paid to the Virgin on her day.
Musicians who are members of the Band The Same Essence They marched ahead, livening up the procession with their happy notes, while the crowd of faithful Guadeloupans followed them in silence.
Some devotees carried small Mexican flags. There were people of all ages. Mothers pushing children in their strollers; others carried them in their arms; Young and adult couples went, and some made the procession in wheelchairs.
The religious march went around the wide Plaza México, and concluded with a concert that began with the Mañanitas to the Virgin of Guadalupe, considered the Patron Saint of Mexico.
Claudia Navarro, a resident of the city of Bell Gardens, proudly joined the religious cultural event. She was accompanied by her husband and son.
“Today is a very special day to pay tribute and respect to our Mother,” he says.
But this time, he brought a special request for the Virgin.
“Today I ask you to protect all the people that Immigration catches; and may he give you many blessings. They are people who are in this country with their loved ones; and if they had not stopped them, I would be here celebrating and honoring Our Mother. I pray to the Virgin to stop all this harassment against our community”.
Carlos Barcena came to bring the Mañanitas to the Virgin, encouraged by the lifelong love he has professed for her.
“More than anything we need encouragement for the problems that exist today. First we ask Our Mother to bring us blessings, but also to help clear the minds of those who are against our community and change the situation we are experiencing,” says Carlos, who lives in the city of Huntington Park.
“Every December 12, I take the day from my construction job to dedicate it to honoring the Virgin.”
Juan Vázquez, who also got up early to congratulate the Virgin of Guadalupe in the traditional Plaza México, asked her for his health and to stop the problems in the community.
“It makes me feel sad what is happening with the raids and so many arrests. The world was made for everyone, and for someone to set rules, it doesn’t feel good to me. We should enjoy what God gives us; and not divide ourselves.”
So their main request was that the immigration operations end, more security in the world and that we become better human beings.
The celebrations on the occasion of the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe began in Plaza México on December 11 with a theatrical recreation of her appearance and the placement of a symbolic altar.
The event concluded with a serenade to the Virgin Mother performed by Mariachi Azteca.
On December 12, the procession took place, they sang the mañanitas and then there was a concert dedicated to the Virgin in which local artists participated, and sweet bread and coffee were distributed.
In addition to begging the Virgin Morena to stop the hunt against immigrants, the Los Angeles families asked for their own.
Gabriela Gutiérrez, a mother residing in the city of Compton, who woke up very early to go to Plaza México to celebrate the Virgin, says that she especially entrusted her fifth daughter to the Virgin, since just on December 12, she was celebrating her first year of life.
“I have also begged the Virgin to change the world. Everything is very ugly, there is a lot of violence, a lot of crime, many deportations. I begged her to soften the hearts of the rulers, because it is not fair that many families are suffering from separation.”
María del Carmen Fernández, originally from Jalisco, Mexico, arrived dressed in a traditional Pakistani dress, Salwar Kameez.
“My Catholic faith motivates me to come pay tribute to Guadalupana, and participating in this procession is a way for my beliefs and traditions to continue. I have asked the Virgin to protect my family, my daughters, my friends and my co-workers.”
Jesús and Ana Santiago, of Mexican roots, affirm that they believe very much in Guadalupana, and have asked her to help them with everything.
“Mostly we pray for our health and a lot of work,” says Jesús, 68, who works for a freight company in Los Angeles.
Karla asked for blessings for her three-year-old girl Nohemí, whom she dressed in an indigenous costume in honor of Juan Diego, the indigenous man turned saint to whom the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared on Cerro del Tepeyac, north of Mexico City on four occasions between December 9 and 12, 1531.
“I came because I want my daughter to know the little Virgin and believe in her,” she says.
Ema Reynoso, 85, arrived in her wheelchair to the celebration of the Virgin in Plaza México.
“I have only asked the Virgin for health and to take away all my ills,” he says while the sound of the wind instruments of the Band The Same Essence resounds throughout the entire Plaza México.
While southeast of Los Angeles, the Guadalupana was venerated, a couple of hours later, in the Placita Olvera in the center of the city, a diverse coalition of unions, religious leaders, immigrant rights organizations and community organizations gathered for a peaceful celebration of the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
The event included a prayer service, procession and vigil based on hope, resilience and caring for each other.
The procession stopped in front of the Los Angeles Detention Center and concluded at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for the noon mass.
In a statement, the Immigrant Rights Coalition said that for millions of Latino immigrants, the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe offers spiritual support, especially at a time when immigrant families continue to face aggressive law enforcement and widespread threats to their rights.
“At a time when many marginalized communities face increasing harm, the Guadeloupan tradition remains a powerful source of protection, unity and dignity,” they stated.