Recognizing and honoring the 207th Anniversary of Mexico's Independence Day.

WHEREAS, Mexico Independence War started in September 16th , 1810, with “El Grito de Dolores” (Cry of Dolores) proclaimed by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, and culminated in September 27th , 1821, with the entrance of the Army of the Three Guarantees, led by Agustin de Iturbide; and

WHEREAS, The United States Declaration of Independence, decades before El Grito de Dolores, influenced and inspired Mexicans to call for a redistribution of land and social and racial equality, and to halt three hundred years of Spanish rule over Mexican territory; and

WHEREAS, Mexicans all over the world get together every September 16th to celebrate their Independence Day with parades, festivals, feasts and parties. Every year, local mayors and politicians re-enact the Grito de Dolores. In Mexico City, people congregate to hear the president ring the same bell Hidalgo did in 1810, and recite the Grito; and

WHEREAS, There are more than 15,500 Mexicans or Mexican descendants in the City of Philadelphia who have commemorated this date annually, with pride and passion, making this the most attended event of PECO’s Penn’s Landing Multicultural Series; and

WHEREAS, For more than 20 years, the Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia along with the Mexican Cultural Center has worked tirelessly to produce the Mexican Independence Day Festival, which celebrates and promotes Mexican culture and traditions. This event welcomes and gathers families of all Hispanic heritages, to celebrate their union along with traditional music, arts and crafts, folklore and food; and

WHEREAS, In the celebration of the Mexican Independence Day in 2017, Mayor James Kenney mentioned how happy he is that Mexicans have chosen Philadelphia as their city of residence, that elected officials will never let anyone tell them how they should treat Philadelphian’s of Mexican descent, and that Philadelphia has their backs; and

WHEREAS, This festival not only commemorates Mexican Independence Day, but it also celebrates the rich, diverse and unique culture Mexico brings to the United States, and the growing connections and success people have achieved in this country; and

WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased to honor this day as Mexican Independence Day, and to celebrate together, in recognition of and celebration of Mexican heritage, hard work and a longstanding relationship with the City; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby recognizes the 207th anniversary of the Mexican Independence Day.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Mexican Cultural Center and Consul Alicia Kerber from the Consulate of Mexico

as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.

End