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Torch runners take cause through S.A. 2003-11-11
San Antonio Express-News By
Lisa Harrison Rivas They hope to reach their final destination, St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, on Dec. 12. The lead runner carried a torch, which symbolized the compassion felt by La Virgen de Guadalupe for the vulnerable. They also arrived with two portraits, one with the image of La Virgen and the other of St. Juan Diego, the humble peasant to whom La Virgen is believed to have appeared in 1531. The portraits will be transported by van to St. Patrick's. They are a gift from the director of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, which is where many of the runners began this journey. "Our Lady of Guadalupe is mother of all; she has compassion for the poor," said 34-year-old runner Luis Miranda, a San Antonian who joined the group on Monday. "Here in the U.S., those who are poor and voiceless are the immigrants." Miranda was born in San Antonio, but his parents are immigrants from Nicaragua. He said the goal of the runners and their sponsor, The Asociación Tepeyac de New York, is to raise the public's awareness about legislation that denies rights to undocumented immigrants. So far the runners have stopped in six U.S. cities and 28 cities in Mexico. They will head to Gonzales today and stop at a total of 38 cities across the nation. Pedro Arredondo, 23, of Tlaxcala, Mexico, who made the run last year, said it enriched his faith. He joined the group in Mexico City this year to show immigrants they have someone on their side. "We are doing it for them. We want them to know that we are with them and they have our support," he said. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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