As he has done for the past 15 years, Aldo went to sing "Las Mananitas" to the Virgin of Guadalupe at Plaza Mexico, but this time he joined the popular outcry, asking the Virgin to stop the immigration raids.

“What this man (President Trump) is doing is not right. I own a small business, and since the raids started, sales have been dropping. People don't want to go out anymore; they're afraid,” says Aldo, who also asks that his full name not be used out of fear.

He says the immigration operations have affected small businesses.

“We have to pay rent for the house, for the business, and buy food. Things are so bad that, as a single father, I had to apply for public assistance because I'm not generating enough income. I've never been in a situation like this before,” he says, dismayed.

Aldo explains that although he has legal immigration status, that doesn't take away his fear of being detained and having his documents taken away.

“That's why we're asking the Virgin Mary to stop these raids,” he says as he marches fervently in the procession to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe, which took place on Friday, December 12, in Plaza Mexico.

Our Lady of Guadalupe is a powerful religious and cultural symbol of Mexico, venerated as the “Queen of Mexico” and the “Empress of the Americas.” The main celebration to honor her takes place on December 12th each year.

From seven in the morning, Guadalupanos began to gather in the traditional plaza of Lynwood, California. At eight o'clock sharp, the procession began. A large image of Our Lady of Guadalupe led the ceremonial march in homage to the Virgin on her feast day.

Musicians from the Banda La Misma Esencia marched ahead, enlivening the procession with their cheerful music, while the multitude of Guadalupanos followed in silence.

Some devotees carried small Mexican flags. There were people of all ages. Mothers children pushed in strollers; others carried them in their arms; There were young and adult couples, and some participated in the procession in wheelchairs.

The religious procession circled the expansive Plaza Mexico and concluded with a concert that began with "Las Mananitas" to the Virgin of Guadalupe, considered the Patron Saint of Mexico.

Claudia Navarro, a resident of Bell Gardens, proudly joined the religious and cultural event. She was accompanied by her husband and son.

“Today is a very special day to pay homage and respect to our Mother,” she said.

But this time, she had a special request for the Virgin.

“Today I ask her to protect all the people detained by Immigration and give them many blessings. They are people who are in this country with their loved ones; and if they hadn't been detained, I would be here celebrating and honoring Our Mother. I beg the Virgin to stop all this harassment against our community. Park.

“Every December 12th, I take the day off from my construction job to dedicate it to honoring the Virgin.”

Juan Vazquez, who also got up early to congratulate the Virgin of Guadalupe in the traditional Plaza Mexico, asked her for his health and for the problems in the community to stop.

“It makes me sad what is happening with the raids and so many arrests. The world was made for everyone, and for someone to impose rules, it doesn't seem right to me. We should be enjoying what we have.”

God gives us; and not to divide us. Azteca.

On December 12, the procession took place, they sang "Las Mananitas" (a traditional Mexican birthday song), 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 pleading with the Virgin of Guadalupe for an end to the persecution of immigrants, Los Angeles families prayed for their loved ones.

Gabriela Gutierrez, a mother residing in the city of Compton,She woke up very early to go to Plaza Mexico to celebrate the Virgin,and says she especially entrusted her fifth daughter to the Virgin, since December 12th was her first birthday. "I have also prayed to the Virgin to change the world. Everything is very ugly, there is a lot of violence, a lot of crime, a lot of deportations. I begged her to soften the hearts of the rulers, because it is not fair that so many families are suffering from separation." Maria del Carmen Fernandez, originally from Jalisco, Mexico, arrived dressed in a traditional Pakistani Salwar Kameez. "My Catholic faith motivates me to come and pay tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe, 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 coworkers."

Jesus and Ana Santiago, of Mexican descent, affirmed that they have great faith in Our Lady of Guadalupe and have asked her to help them in everything.

“Above all, we pray for our health and for plenty of work,” says 68-year-old Jesus, who works for a freight company in Los Angeles.

Karla asked for blessings for her three-year-old daughter, Nohemi, whom she dressed in an indigenous outfit in honor of Juan Diego, the indigenous man who became a saint and to whom the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared on Tepeyac Hill, north of Mexico City, four times between December 9 and 12, 1531.

“I came because I want my daughter to know the Virgin and believe in her,” she says.

Ema Reynoso, 85, arrived in her wheelchair at the celebration of the Virgin in Plaza Mexico.

“I have only “I asked the Virgin for health and to take away my troubles.” “All my ills,” she says as the sound of the wind instruments of the Banda La Misma Esencia resonates throughout Plaza Mexico.

While southeast of Los Angeles, the Virgin of Guadalupe was being venerated, a couple of hours later, at Olvera Street in downtown, 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, a procession, and a vigil based on hope, resilience, and mutual care.

The procession stopped in front of the Los Angeles Detention Center and concluded at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for noon Mass.

In a statement, the Coalition for Immigrant Rights, CHIRLA, stated 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 threats to their rights.

“At a time when many marginalized communities face prejudice increasing, the Guadalupana tradition remains a powerful source of protection, unity, and dignity,” they stated.

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