'Viva Mexico!' Chanted Throughout Los Angeles

The Mexican Independence Parade aspires to reconnect the Mexican community to their culture while educating others of the importance of Mexican Independence Day.

A performer doing a traditional Aztec dance during the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival, in East Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 18, 2022. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

A performer doing a traditional Aztec dance and playing a conch shell during the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival, in East Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 18, 2022. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Karen Bass waving to the crowd during the Mexican Independence Parade & Festival in East Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 18, 2022. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Francisco Moreno (right) receiving plaque commemorating the Comité Mexicano Civivo Patriotico 91st anniversary from Los Angeles City Council member Kevin De León (district 14) at the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival in East Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 18, 2022. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Karen Bass speaking before the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival in East Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 18, 2022. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Fernando Valenzuela, a retired Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher (#34), posing for pictures as the Grand Marshal of the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival in East Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 18, 2022. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso speaking to members of the crowd and media at the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival in East Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 18, 2022. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

The character Tecuán (translates to monster from spanish), from a performance of Danza de los Tecuanes (The Dance of Jaguars), during the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival. The dance is a display of two tribes, Moranchi and Lucas, coming together to capture the jaguar in pre-hispainic Mexico. East Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 18, 2022. (Caylo Seals |The Corsair)

A performer wearing a traditional Chinelos costume which is popular in parts of Mexico. This group is with the float for the Mexican State of Morelos druing the Mexican Independence Parade & Festival in East Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 18, 2022. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

A Moranchi elder, from a performance of Danza de los Tecuanes (The Dance of Jaguars), during the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival. The dance is a display of two tribes, Moranchi and Lucas, coming together to capture the jaguar in pre-hispainic Mexico. East Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 18, 2022. (Caylo Seals |The Corsair)

Fernando Valenzuela, a retired Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher (#34), riding on his float as the Grand Marshal for the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival in East Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 18, 2022. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

A fixed winged aircraft flying over the Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival carrying a flag that says "Valenzuela 4 Hall of Fame - Retire #34." Fernando Valenzuela, a retired Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher (#34), was the Grand Marshal for the event. East Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 18, 2022. (Caylo Seals | The Corsair)

Chants of “Viva Mexico” filled the air during the East L.A. Mexican Independence Day Parade on Sunday, Sept. 18. The annual event was organized by the Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM) and the Comité Mexicano Cívico Patriótico (CMCP). The parade began at 10 a.m. and traveled west down Cesar Chavez Avenue from Mednik Avenue to Gage Ave. Guest appearances were made by former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, city council member Kevin De León, as well as L.A. mayoral candidates, Karen Bass and Rick Caruso.

Flyers for the event shared the theme of this year’s parade reading “United for Strong Physical and Mental Health.” Francisco Moreno, Executive Director of COFEM and President of CMCP, wanted to emphasize this theme to honor the many immigrants who were on the front lines working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are so, so grateful with the people that were there in the emergencies, working with COVID, people sick of COVID,” he said.

For Oscar Cisco, the Program Coordinator of The Council of Mexican Federations, one of the main issues facing the city is mental health, and that by bringing awareness to mental health issues, the concerns of people can be met.

“Talking about it more destigmatizes it, and creates a conversation of open and honest dialogue of what’s plaguing our society,” Cisco said.

A total of 11 federations, all representatives of different states of Mexico, came out in support of the event with floats presenting dances and performances with their own cultural significance. Aztec inspired clothing and various dances and games were also featured at the parade. One game, called Pok-a-Tok, is a Mesoamerican ball game that is won by scoring goals using only your hips.

COFEM also focuses on helping undocumented immigrants receive their papers needed to gain their citizenship, as well as empowering the Hispanic communities through other activities. One of these ways is with various food drives set up to support the community. COFEM positions itself as a foundation for community members to get back in touch with their roots and receive any help that they may need.

The new up-and-coming generations of Hispanic Americans have grown up in a country of mixed cultures, so events such as the annual parade provide the chance for many to connect with their culture. Moreno believes that the parade serves as a way of passing down heritage that has been maintained through generations of His- panic communities.

“If you know your past, you’ll work better for your future,” Moreno said.

According to Cisco, the next event that COFEM will be organizing is a two-part Dia de los Muertos event at Hollywood Forever cemetery on Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.