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U.S. NEWS Friday 5 May 2017
Cinco de Mayo met with more ambivalence in age of Trump

and invading French forces on its Facebook page as diers against the invading
is now a regular celebra- “Mexico’s First Cinco de French forces of Napoleon
tion in the U.S., where par- Mayo.” III. The day is barely ob-
ty-goers flock to bars for Jose Cuervo said in a state- served in Mexico, but was
cheap margaritas and ta- ment the idea come from celebrated in California
cos. Television beer com- Crispin Porter + Bogusky, by Latinos and abolitionists
mercials often show mostly a Los Angeles-based ad- who linked the victory to
white actors on a beach vertising agency, and has the fight against slavery.
celebrating. been well received on so- During the Chicano Move-
“The narrative around Cin- cial media. ment of the 1970s, Mexican
co de Mayo seems to say, “Consumers consistently Americans adopted Cinco
‘this day really isn’t yours’,” tell us that Cinco de Mayo de Mayo for its David vs.
said Cynthia Duarte, a soci- is a great way for them to Goliath story line as motiva-
ology professor at Califor- reconnect with people tion in civil rights struggles.
nia Lutheran University. they care about and enjoy This year, some immigrant
Tequila company Jose a few cervezas,” said John enclaves have canceled

In this 2014 photo, members of the Ector Junior High Mariachi Cuervo is playing off the Alvarado, vice president of or reduced Cinco de Mayo
Band perform while riding on a float during the Cinco de Mayo notion that the holiday is marketing for Corona beer, celebrations over fears
parade on Crane Avenue in Odessa, Texas. Trump’s immigration largely overlooked south which is made by Anheus- that party-goers could be
policies and rhetoric are leaving some Mexican Americans and of the border by throwing er-Busch InBev. exposed to possible de-
immigrants feeling at odds with a day they already thought was a party in a small Missouri Often mistaken for Mexican portation. In Philadelphia,
appropriated by beer and liquor companies, event promoters town called Mexico. More Independence Day (Sept. a Cinco de Mayo-related
and local bars. than 90 percent of people 16), Cinco de Mayo com- celebration was scrapped
(Edyta Blaszczyk/Odessa American via AP)
there are white and less memorates the 1862 Battle after organizers deter-
RUSSELL CONTRERAS You want to eat our food than 2.5 percent of Mexi- of Puebla between the mined turnout would drop
ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON and listen to our music, but can descent. The compa- victorious ragtag army of over concerns about immi-
Associated Press when we need you to de- ny is marketing the event largely Mexican Indian sol- gration raids.q
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — fend us, where are you?”
For years, Yazmin Irazoqui Irazoqui Ruiz asked about
Ruiz saw Cinco de Mayo as the wave of anti-immigrant
a reason to eat tacos and sentiment in the country.
listen to Mexican music. She isn’t alone. Trump’s
The 25-year-old Mexican- immigration policies and
born medical student left rhetoric are leaving some
Mexico for the U.S. as a Mexican Americans and
child and celebrates the immigrants feeling at odds
day to honor a homeland with a holiday they already
she hardly remembers. thought was appropriated
But the Albuquerque, New by beer and liquor compa-
Mexico, resident said she’s nies, event promoters and
reluctant to take part in bars.
Cinco de Mayo festivities Latino activists and schol-
this year as President Don- ars say that ambivalence
ald Trump steps up federal is bolstered by the hazy his-
immigration enforcement tory of Cinco de Mayo and
and supporters back his by stereotypes exploited
call for the building of a by marketers.
wall along the U.S.-Mexico The once-obscure holiday
border. marking a 19th century-
“I mean, what is it about? battle between Mexico