Cinco de Mayo will be observed at California State University, Fresno with the annual Semana de la Raza celebration May 1 through 5, which includes an immigration rally at noon Monday (May 1) in the Free Speech Area.
The weeklong observance, organized by the student organization El Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA), is for the Mexican holiday commemorating the victory of the Mexican troops over the French Army in the 1862 Battle of Puebla.
Semana de Ia Raza begins Monday, May 1, with “Dia de la Raza indigene.” Aztec dancers from Clovis West High School perform at 11 a.m. in the University Student Union Pit.
The noon rally, “A Day Without An Immigrant,” is sponsored by several recognized student organizations: MEChA, Campus Peace and Trabajadores de Ia Raza as well as two off campus student organizations, First Nations and National Association of Social Workers.
Tuesday, May 2, is Dia de la Mujer with presentations by women activists on women in the movement at noon and a poetry reading at 1 p.m., both in University Student Union Room 309. The movie “Real Women Have Curves” will be shown in the USU Pit at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 3, is Dia del Trabajador lnmigrante with presentation at noon, Iraq “Green Card” Soldier, by Stan Santos in Ag Mechanics Bldg. Room 101. The movie “El Norte” will be shown in the USU Pit at 7 p.m. sponsored by Cineculture.
Thursday, May 4, is Dia de /a Juventud with workshops on Chicano/a Identity and Cinco doe Mayo scheduled 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. in USU 308. The movie “WALKOUT!” will be shown in the at 6 p.m. in the Satellite Student Union. A panel discussion follows sponsored by the Chicano Latin-American Studies Department and Cineculture.
On Friday, May 5, the Semana observance will be highlighted with the Cinco de Mayo Faire — Dia de los Chicanitos — from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Maple Mall (south of the Satellite Student Union on east end of campus). Area school children will be treated to crafts activities and piñatas. At 7 p.m. the movie “Smoke Signals” will be shown in the McLane 221, sponsored by Cineculture.
The Battle of Puebla occurred in the small city of Puebla near Mexico City 142 years ago. Poorly equipped and undermanned Mexican soldiers, fighting to save their homeland, engaged and defeated 4,500 French troops under General Lorenz. The Mexicans were commanded by Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza under President Benito Juarez. In the ensuing year, the Mexicans kept the French invaders preoccupied and unable to help the Confederate states in the U.S. Civil War. With the Union restored, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln helped the Mexicans finally rid their homeland of the French.
For more information on Semana de La Raza, contact MEChA at fresnostatemechayahoo.com.
