Runners in each city along the relay's path will carry a torch to symbolize the faith of the Mexican people and to bring light to immigration issues, said coordinator Mario Najera of the Asociacion Tepeyac de New York.
"For the Mexican people, religion and culture are often tied together, and the Virgin represents their identity. She symbolizes a change in the Catholic Church and its move to protect the indigenous people of Mexico from the Spaniards," Najera said. "Now the people are working through a different struggle - being exploited here in the United State. It is important for us to stand up for them and their rights. With the run, we are able to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe at the same time."
The Tepeyac association is a nonprofit network of 40 community-based organizations whose mission is to promote the social welfare and human rights of Hispanic immigrants, specifically undocumented immigrants in New York City.
The torch run began as a way to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Young runners from each of the five New York boroughs would carry torches to neighborhood Catholic churches to show the city that their pride, culture and faith was alive in each of their communities.
"For the Mexican people, religion and culture are often tied together, and the Virgin represents their identity. She symbolizes a change in the Catholic Church and its move to protect the indigenous people of Mexico from the Spaniards," Najera said. "Now the people are working through a different struggle - being exploited here in the United State. It is important for us to stand up for them and their rights. With the run, we are able to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe at the same time."
The Tepeyac association is a nonprofit network of 40 community-based organizations whose mission is to promote the social welfare and human rights of Hispanic immigrants, specifically undocumented immigrants in New York City.
The torch run began as a way to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Young runners from each of the five New York boroughs would carry torches to neighborhood Catholic churches to show the city that their pride, culture and faith was alive in each of their communities.