The 4th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration took place at the Long Beach Civic Center on Tuesday, Sept. 18.
Hosted by councilmembers Roberto Uranga and Lena Gonzalez and Mayor Robert Garcia, guests were treated to food catered by Lola’s Mexican Cuisine and music from the Trio Santa Anita.
Uranga, son of immigrant parents who arrived to the states in the 1950s, said he has a “strong affinity for Latino culture.”
“Never forget your roots,” he told the Signal Tribune at the event.
“They are the fastest growing population in the U.S.,” Uranga said. “We have to make them feel welcome, [and] one way of doing that is through this.”
Garcia commended the Hispanic and Latino communities, as well.
“They’re a huge part of our community,” he told the crowd. “I think we’re all aware that Long Beach is about 41 percent Latino and Hispanic. It is a growing population, and it is evident in the amazing and beautiful and diverse culture that we have here in the city of Long Beach.”
Maria Rosales attended the event with her two children and also spoke on the importance of acknowledging the Hispanic and Latino communities in Long Beach.
“I came to this country 15 years ago from Oaxaca,” she told the Signal Tribune. “It is nice to have free events like these that provide an opportunity to show my children of something that reminds me of back home.”
