Thread: Immigrant group makes much ado about Peru

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Mercedes Olivera:
Immigrant group makes much ado about Peru

09:07 PM CDT on Friday, July 8, 2005

The ancient Incas of Peru are said to have had three principles to live by: Don't kill, don't lie and don't steal – no matar, no mentir, no robar.

Good rules to live by in any century, on any continent.

That's how Gabriel Egúsquiza sees it. The 39-year-old head of a Peruvian organization is hoping it can communicate these principles to other Peruvians who now call the Dallas-Fort Worth area their home.

"We want to share our cultural values, as well as information about rights and obligations, so that their stay in this country is as beneficial to everyone as possible," he said.

The number of Peruvian immigrants in this area has grown to about 8,000 today, according to the Peruvian Consulate in Houston. Many of them live in north and northeast Dallas County.

Some, like Mr. Egúsquiza, have come in the last 10 years because of a poor economy and lack of jobs, political corruption and terrorism at home.

"Our people have been victims of [the terrorist organization] Sendero Luminoso, which was so disruptive to our way of life in Peru," he said, referring to the Shining Path guerrillas. "We're tired of division. We really want unity and community. And we think this might be a good first step."

The newly formed Peruvian Association of Dallas-Fort Worth will be holding its first celebration of Peru's declaration of independence at the end of this month in Oak Cliff.

Peruvians call it a pollada – an opportunity for family and friends to get together and eat pollo – chicken. It's also come to mean a festival, a fundraising event.

The date of Peruvian independence is July 28, but local organizers will celebrate it from 2 to 6 p.m. July 31 at the Plaza de las Américas, 300 E. Ledbetter Drive.

This event is the culmination of a yearlong effort, said Juan Gómez , spokesman for the organization.

"Finally, with this event, the organization is crystallizing, and we're hoping more Peruvians find out about it and join, especially as volunteers," Mr. Gómez said.

The organization will initially focus on health and legal issues. But education and culture will play a dominant role in the organization's programs.

"We have a very strong tradition from the Incas," Mr. Gómez said. "We want to preserve our values and teach our children to love Peru, even if they've never been there."

Mr. Egúsquiza also emphasized the group's efforts to spread information about Peruvian cultural traditions through music and art.

"Our music is as varied as the geography," he said. "The music from the coast, the jungle and the mountains are all very unique but very Peruvian."

For the rest of the year, however, the group also will work on two other projects:

•A general amnesty for Peruvians who have left the country and not voted in elections.

Members will be working on a petition to the Peruvian Congress so they can vote in the 2006 presidential election.

Elections are mandatory in Peru, Mr. Gómez said, and voters are fined each time they miss an election.

•An official identity card, similar to Mexico's matrÃÂ*cula consular. (The Mexican government issues the cards to its citizens.)

The organization also will publish a newsletter with information about the group's efforts.

Mr. Egúsquiza said he likes to think of the vicuña as the group's mascot – and for good reason.

The animal, which lives in the high Andes and is prized for its fine wool coat, is known for being a hardy survivor at high altitudes and in frigid temperatures.

The cousin of the llama is also known as a beast of burden and a help to farmers. And instead of teddy bears, Peruvian children have tiny vicuñas as stuffed toys.

More important, it's known for being a survivor.

And that's something Mr. Egúsquiza's compatriots know a lot about.

Mercedes Olivera can be reached at molivera@dallasnews .com or at P.O. Box 655237, Dallas, Texas 75265.

The ancient Incas of Peru are said to have had three principles to live by: Don't kill, don't lie and don't steal – no matar, no mentir, no robar.

Great values to live by.

Some, like Mr. Egúsquiza, have come in the last 10 years because of a poor economy and lack of jobs, political corruption and terrorism at home.

That means they came here illegally. See above qoute.

The newly formed Peruvian Association of Dallas-Fort Worth will be holding its first celebration of Peru's declaration of independence at the end of this month in Oak Cliff.

Um, excuse me, what country are you in? Ever hear of assimilation?

For the rest of the year, however, the group also will work on two other projects:

•A general amnesty for Peruvians who have left the country and not voted in elections.

Members will be working on a petition to the Peruvian Congress so they can vote in the 2006 presidential election.

Elections are mandatory in Peru, Mr. Gómez said, and voters are fined each time they miss an election.

Go Home and Vote.

•An official identity card, similar to Mexico's matrÃÂ*cula consular. (The Mexican government issues the cards to its citizens.)

Well isn’t that special? Openly aiding and abetting.