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.

By PEARCE ADAMS
The Times

Martin Hernandez of Gainesville had a good reason to wait outside in the cold Wednesday afternoon with dozens of others from Hall County. "It's an expression of my faith," he said while awaiting arrival of Antorcha Guadalupana, a religious pilgrimage of the Torch of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which is almost two-thirds of the way into a 45-day, 2,086-mile journey.

Hernandez waited patiently with others at the entrance to Gwinnett County's Commonwealth Industrial Park, a few yards from Hall County on Ga. 13, for the arrival of the torch. The torch left the Basilica of Our Lady in Mexico City on Oct. 29 on its way to Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

The torch is scheduled to arrive Dec. 12, the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a religious holiday celebrated by Mexicans. The day commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego, an Indian peasant, in 1531 on a hill outside of Mexico City.

The idea for the trip from Mexico City began on last year's holiday. According to the Hispanic Committee of Gainesville-Hall County, Cardinal Edward Egan, while delivering mass at St. Patrick's, encouraged the Mexican people to bring the torch to New York.

The run includes three stops in Georgia.

Father Francisco Estrada, priest at St. Mich-ael Catholic Church in Gainesville, received the torch from a runner and became the first of dozens to carry it a mile each in Hall County. The torch was carried north on Ga. 13 into Hall County for a celebration at the church.

The torch stayed in Hall on Wednesday night before going to Athens today. Another 700 miles and 15 days remain in the journey.

Estrada said it's significant that the torch's route includes Hall, which has a significant Hispanic population. According to the 2000 Census, Hispanics account for almost 20 percent of Hall's population of 139,277.

Before he received the torch, Arizaid Guzman, the church's coordinator for the Hall leg of the trip, said the runners are not only carrying a torch, but a message. "Justice for all people," she said.

Moments later, David Galisea of Mexico City was cheered as he completed the Gwinnett portion of the trip. "We did it! We did it!" chanted the crowd.

Galisea caught his breath, walked among the crowd and shouted a message, which, moments later with an interpreter, he repeated. "The torch means light and hope for everybody," he said.

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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.