In the wake of mass deportations, San Quentin residents celebrated Cinco de Mayo, displaying various art forms of Mexican and Aztecan culture.
On May 5th, 1862 in the state of Puebla, Mexico, at the military forts of Loreto and Guadalupe, Mexican soldiers defeated the French army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza.
The victory was followed by then Mexican President Benito Juarez declaring Cinco de Mayo a holiday in the Mexican state of Puebla, according to Wikipedia.
“When I think about Cinco de Mayo, I think about family,” said resident Carlos Drouaillet. “It had a big impact on my family because there was opposition on each side of our birthplaces.”
Born in France in 1954, he grew up in the state of Veracruz Mexico, northeast of Puebla. His wife was born in Puebla in 1957; he stated that there was a chance their ancestors fought against each other during the war.
To kick off the festivities on the prison’s Lower Yard attendees sang Mexico’s National Anthem in unison, as the SQ Veteran’s Group displayed the United States, Californian, and Mexican flags.
Resident Arturo Melendez hosted the celebration; he spoke about the difficulties of celebrating the holiday behind bars. He stated that gangs once used Indigenous cultural symbols to validate their identity.
As a result CDCR banned cultural symbols and if an incarcerated person had similar tattoos there were consequences.
“I feel we [Mexican People] have came a long way from before. It was hard to express our culture openly, it’s amazing,” said SQ resident Olegario Ambriz.
Next the resident Banda Esperanza performed three songs titled, El Rey, La Rubia Y Morenas Y Cielito Lindo, led by guitarist and vocalist Gerry S. Muratalla.
SQ’s Greater Good Band, led by resident John Zeretzke played a version of Carlos Santana’s Oye Como ba? The crowd clapped and sang with the band, as if Santana was performing live.
On the sideline of the facilities basketball court residents displayed Mexican and Aztecan paintings hanging along side the fence, there were paintings of low riders and Aztecan Warriors on horseback jumping over a barbed wire fences.
Another painting depicted a Mexican soldier on horseback wielding a sword striking a French soldier; in another painting there was complete layout from the battle scene at Puebla.
In the middle of the court three vintage cars representing the “Old Illusion” car club based in Northern Calif, the club consisted of classic cars that were built prior to 1954.
Jesse Torres owner of a two tone beige and black 1928, 2-door Ford. He said, fixing, driving, and partaking in a lot of cars shows is the best part of building these cars.
Jesse Torres owner of a two tone beige and black 1928, 2-door Ford. He said, fixing, driving, and partaking in a lot of cars shows is the best part of building these cars.
Nancy Torres the wife of Jesse, said that the cars has brought joy and compassion to their marriage of 45 years, and that they agree and disagree but working together is what keeps them together.
Javier the owner of a 1936 two-tone burgundy and black Chevrolet Master deluxe sport, stated that the car was offered only in back in 1936, and then offered in another color, if you wanted the different color you paid extra.
He added that, building a custom car is life long work; “turning to drugs and alcohol in this business will not work for you,” he said.
Curtis Reynolds is the owner of the 1937, black Chevrolet Master deluxecoupe with a rumble seat.
“The seat is what makes the car rare, it’s gangster as (expletive),” said Reynolds “I have been working on this (expletive) all my life, it’s a stress reliever and I have a very supportive wife.”
Despite the display of vintage cars, residents formed a quarter mile line to receive Mexican style candy.
The candies are sweet, spicy, with fruits flavors, which are Mexican traditional treats served in people’s homes and restaurants, said Cristina Brown of Bridges of Hope Calif. She stated that her organization bridges the gap between incarcerated families such as parents and children.
Abby Salim the co-founder of Empowering Women impacted by incarceration, greeted residents with a big smile as she gave people traditional Mexican candy. She said that her organization connects women with resources upon re-entering society.
“It goes to show that two different organizations can work together to serve our people,” Brown said.
Marty a Native Healer was introduced to bless the Aztecan Cuauhoceloti [Warrior] dancers.
“I acknowledge the indigenous people of this land. As we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, said the Native Healer.”
The incarcerated performers showed poise as they made their way in front of a huge crowd, one kick to the left then slide followed by a bounce, and then one kick to the right and slide followed by a bounce.
As the Aztecan dancers finished their routine, the crowd became astound to witness dancing horses, a traditional Cinco de Mayo celebration.
The crowd formed a huge oval shape circle; to make way for two Frisian bred horses, rider Pablo Sandoval was on the bigger black horse, who mane was almost as long as the horse’s height.
Valentino was riding a smaller but faster reddish brown horse. Under the guidance of the riders, the horses danced moving to the left and then to the right and then backwards. It was though the horses were performing a Texas 2-step.
Every time the horses made a dashing move the crowd erupted with applause, and cheers in closing out the day’s celebration.
“Cinco de Mayo is an opportunity for me to reconnect with the heritage and never forget my roots,” said resident Carlos Ramirez.
In 1862 the U.S began celebrating Cinco de Mayo in the city of Columbia California, today other Countries such as: Cape Town South Africa, Lagos Nigeria, and Osaka Japan, and including the United Kingdom recognizes the holiday, according to Wikipedia.
