Guadalupan Torch Run 2002 Mexico-New York 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, And 2002 For the first time an Historic Event, the run will Bring the Torch from the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

The History

According to the religious beliefs of Mexicans, December 12^th should be dedicated to honoring their Queen and Mother, the Virgin of Guadalupe, who is a symbol of their identity, and of the history of the Mexican struggle.  On December 12, Mexicans honor the Virgin of Guadalupe, Patron Saint of the oppressed and exploited.  According to traditional folklore, the Virgin Mary appeared with indigenous characteristics, to the peasant Juan Diego in 1531, to oppose the oppression and exploitation at the hands of the Spanish colonists who also prohibited them from using their native language, religion, culture, and traditions.

Those indigenous people had been converted into immigrants in their own land, and had been denied human dignity. They were chosen in the person of Juan Diego, by that princess, so that they themselves would initiate a transformation of their oppressed situation.  Starting by asking the Bishop to develop a Church that was more in favor of the oppressed, where they would be able to show love, compassion, aid and defense of all who were suffering the consequences of colonization.

The majority of the Mexican people in New York are being exploited by their employers, who force them to work 80 hours a week, and only pay them for 40 hours.  The Majority don’t have the right to time off, and have schedules that don’t permit them to continue their education, in order to strengthen their organizations and relations with their equals. Society’s justification  for all kinds of exploitation is that they are undocumented, given that immigration laws deny them that right, and keep them undocumented, despite the fact  that they strengthen the economy with their hard work and terrible wages.

In the United States Mexicans and their descendants make up almost 70% of the Latino population.  In the coming years Latinos will account for more than 50% among members of the Catholic Church in the United States.  Because of this, Bishops of the Catholic Church of the United States, will realize that every 12^th of December there will be a commemoration of the Virgin Mary,  as there is in Mexico, and as Pope John Paul II urged during his trip to Mexico

Click Here to see Some Pictures of Past Torchs

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Ana Guevara

Ana Gabriela Guevara  (www.latinmex.com), athlete from Sonora State, Mexico, major athletic promoter and a proud representative of Mexico, shows her solidarity with Mexicans and other Latino immigrants to the United States by confirming that on October 29, 20002, she will be at the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City, at 9:00 AM, to launch the International Guadalupan Torch Run. Her participation will promote the message of dignity for a people divided by the border, a message that will be brought on foot by relay runners, all the way to New York City on December 12, 2002, via 45 cities (9 in Mexico and 36 on the East Cost of the United States) where hundreds of thousands of Mexicans have migrated.

Alex Lora

Likewise, Alex Lora of  Mexican urban rock band, “El Tri”, (www.rockska.com/eltri.html), and devout follower of the Virgin of Guadalupe, has confirmed he will take his turn at the Basilica of Guadalupe on October 29, the launch of the torch run, and that he will sing to the Virgin of Guadalupe so she might give strength to the messengers who will run relays to promote the message of dignity for the millions of undocumented Mexicans who live in the United States.Alex lora the singer of one of the best Mexican Rock Band " El Tri" will be in the Basilica of Guadalupe on October 29 at 9:00 Am.