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  1. #1
    Senior Member Brian503a's Avatar
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    More political tone, people expected at Cinco de Mayo

    http://www.rockymountainnews.com

    More political tone, people expected at Cinco de Mayo

    By Myung Oak Kim And Rosa Ramirez, Rocky Mountain News
    May 4, 2006
    The Cinco de Mayo celebration this weekend at Civic Center is expected to draw larger crowds and take on a more political tone because of the recent surge in immigrant-rights activism.
    Organizers and local leaders do not, however, expect controversy surrounding recent immigration rallies to carry over to a festival that one organizer calls "the ultimate Mexican-American celebration."

    In years past, drinking, celebratory gunfire and gang clashes have marred Cinco de Mayo celebrations, especially along the Federal Boulevard cruising route.

    In 2004, a 12-year-old boy was shot in the ankle, an unintended target of a gang fight.

    Police have written north and west Denver residents, saying they will try to minimize traffic problems during cruising Friday and Saturday nights. Police also said they will not tolerate loud stereo playing, standing or hanging on moving vehicles, or alcohol and weapons violations."We want people to be on notice: Don't drink and drive," said Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson. "We want people to celebrate responsibly. Anything that happens counter to public safety will not be tolerated."

    The main daylong celebration Saturday and Sunday at Civic Center features music, food, vendors and sporting activities to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when the Mexican army defeated French invaders.

    More than 400,000 people are expected to attend the free, two-day event produced by NEWSED Community Development Corp., a nonprofit group that supports housing and educational programs for Hispanics in Denver. The Cinco de Mayo celebration here is said to be the largest in the nation.

    LeRoy Lemos, director of special events for NEWSED, said that the holiday is celebrated more in the United States than it is in Mexico.

    "Cinco de Mayo as a holiday is a very American holiday," Lemos said. "It's not Mexican independence day. I think there's a current feeling or sentiment in the community of wanting to express not only cultural pride but American pride, and Cinco de Mayo is the ultimate Mexican-American celebration."

    Lemos said he has received no advance word of protests or backlash.

    Nita Gonzales, principal of Escuela Tlatelolco and an organizer of the recent immigrant-rights marches, expects enthusiasm carried over from the demonstrations to affect Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

    "The tone of the festivities we hope will take on more of a message that the rallies have had, a message of unity, a message of standing up for human rights," she said.

    Gonzales wants people who participated in the rallies to volunteer for the group that monitors cruising along Federal Boulevard. In past years, she said, about 500 people stood along the streets to encourage lawful behavior and to educate drivers and passengers about the meaning of the holiday. But last year, so few people volunteered that the group did not operate, she said.

    She encourages people who would like to participate to call Escuela Tlatelolco at 303-964-8993.

    Along Federal Boulevard, Hispanic business owners expressed a range of views about whether this year's Cinco de Mayo would be different in light of the recent pro-immigration rallies.

    "I think there may be more people at the celebration, but it's hard to tell," said Maria Elena Fontes, who owns La Milpa, a Mexican food restaurant and bakery.

    Fontes, who has lived in Colorado for 33 years and is a naturalized citizen, said the celebration will focus on "eating and enjoying the music."

    Humberto Mendez, 61, a shoe shiner, expects the festival to be the same as in previous years. "The festival will be tranquil," he said.

    Marcos Vargas is certain that the passions of Monday's rally will carry over to this weekend's celebrations and bring more revelers.

    "Their spirits are still fired," Vargas said. "You'll go to a store and you hear people still talking about (the march)."

    Vargas will place Mexican flags in the front of his father's restaurant - Tacotlan - on Federal Boulevard, where he works, and will play regional Mexican music in the hope of attracting more customers.

    He said the holiday brings people together.

    "What's simply happening is that it's uniting us."

    Celebrations

    Here's a sampling of this year's festivities:

    • Fourth annual Cinco de Mayo Concert featuring the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, 7 tonight, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 14th and Curtis streets. Free tickets available at King Soopers stores.

    • Cruising along Federal Boulevard on Friday and Saturday nights. Police will restrict access on Federal when traffic becomes congested.

    • 19th Annual Cinco de Mayo "Celebrate Culture" Festival, Civic Center Park, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The festival is free.

    • Cinco de Mayo parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at West Colfax Avenue and Fox Street. The main viewing stands will be at East 14th Avenue and Lincoln Street.

    • Mariachi Celebration of the Holy Mass, 10 a.m. Sunday, Civic Center Park Greek Amphitheatre.

    Kimm@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-2361;
    Support our FIGHT AGAINST illegal immigration & Amnesty by joining our E-mail Alerts at http://eepurl.com/cktGTn

  2. #2
    Senior Member MopheadBlue's Avatar
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    A more descriptive and accurate headline would read something like "More Attitude and Arrogance expected at Cinco de Mayo"

  3. #3
    Super Moderator Newmexican's Avatar
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    At least one organization is looking at sueing the city for spending taxpayer dollars on this. Last year closing Federal Blvd. cost the taxpayers about $300,000.
    Mayor Hickenlooper owned the resteraunt where the the illgal that killed the off duty police officer,(Danny Young, shot in the back guarding a party) was employed. Denver is a Sanctuary City.
    Support our FIGHT AGAINST illegal immigration & Amnesty by joining our E-mail Alerts at https://eepurl.com/cktGTn

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