In L.A., a Cardenas Victory Fiesta
Mariachi music blared and yellow banners waved in MacArthur Park on Monday as supporters celebrated the victory of Mexican opposition leader Cuauhtemoc Cardenas as the new mayor of Mexico City.
Standing across the street from the Mexican Consulate, local members of the Democratic Revolution Party, or PRD, chanted “Vive el PRD! [Long live the PRD!],” as they punched their fists into the air.
“This is the beginning of a more democratic and a fairer government,” said activist Francisco Garcidunas in Spanish.
“The PRI [Institutional Revolutionary Party] is dead,” declared Garcidunas. “This political change will be felt all over Mexico.”
Others weren’t so sure.
Nora Chavira, a 26-year-old doctor from Mexico City visiting family in Los Angeles, watched the festivities from the sidewalk.
“I am happy Cardenas won--it’s a small step for change in Mexico,” she said. “But it will take a lot of time for things to change. The power of the PRI won’t be loosened that easily.”
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