Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Council members joined Mexican Consul General Carlos Sada in celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day this week.The famous Grito de Dolores — the Cry of Dolores — a speech made on September 16,1810 by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Roman Catholic priest who led the Mexican Indepence movement against Spanish rule. The Mexican Independence Day celebration draws thousands of people to the steps of L.A. city hall each year and is the official kickoff to Latino Heritage Month in Los Angeles.
The city of L.A. has produced a guide of cultural events that will be held in the greater Los Angeles areas that include bike tours, art exhibits, performances, and food and film festivals. It can be found online as “The Guide to Los Angeles Heritage Month in Los Angeles.
One free event will in the San Fernando valley will be a Discover L.A. bike tour on Sunday, September 21 held at the Great Wall of Los Angeles. The tour is of the half mile mural, known as the Great Wall of L.A. that has been painted along the L.A. River. The mural represents a historial representation of the ethnic people of California from prehistoric times to the 1950’s. The tour begins at 10:00 a.m. followed by a festival. The Great Wall of L.A. is considered one of the L.A.’s hidden gems. To participate, go to the Tujunga Green Bell Park at 9:00 a.m.
This month, The San Fernando Valley Sun/El Sol will be featuring people in the local community who celebrate Latino heritage not just during the months of September and October, but as part of their work in the San Fernando Valley everyday. If you have someone in your community that you would like us to include, please send an email to: editor@sanfernandosun.com