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19
March 2002
San
Diegans Fight For Cinco De Mayo
Rally Against Alcohol and Tobacco Industries to Restore True Meaning
of Holiday
What:
San Diego residents, business leaders, and youth rally against the alcohol
and tobacco industries for control of Cinco de Mayo. The San Diego Cinco
de Mayo con Orgullo Coalition announces the First Annual Alcohol and
Tobacco-Free Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival and launches campaign
to restore the true meaning of the holiday. March 21 is the birthday of
Benito Juarez, Mexico’s president at the time of the French invasion
in 1862.
When:
Thursday, March 21, 2002, 10:30 AM
Where:
Chicano Park—Barrio Logan
(Crosby And National Ave.)
Who:
 |
Alcohol produces more negative effects on Latinos than other ethnic
groups. |
|
About
23 percent of Mexican-Americans are considered heavy, problem-drinkers,
compared with 12 percent of white men and 15 percent of black men. |
|
Nationwide,
Mexican-American men are nearly twice as likely to get arrested for
drunk driving as whites and African-Americans. |
|
Last
year in San Diego, 30 Mexican-Americans got arrested for DUI during
Cinco de Mayo celebrations, compared to 23 white, 9 black and 3 Asians. |
|
The
tobacco and alcohol industries specifically target the Latino population
and promote Cinco de Mayo as a drinking holiday. |
|
Every
year, 10,000 San Diego youth begin smoking; one third of who will
die from tobacco-related illness. |
Background:
|
Aliana López and other San Diego County Youth |
|
Jovita
Hurtado, San Diego Cinco de Mayo Con Orgullo Coalition, (858) 974-3603 |
|
Debra
Kelley, American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties
(619) 297-3901 |
|
Dr.
Cleo Malone, The Palavra Tree, (619) 263-7768 |
|
Luis
Natividad, Latina/o Unity Coalition, 236-7500 |
|
Christian
Ramírez, American Friends Service Committee, (619) 233-4114 |
|
Bernardo
Rosa, CA Latino Leadership United for Healthy Communities (909) 414-8935 |
|
Patricia
Ulloa, San Diego parent, (619) 263-7768 |
|
Charles
Simpson, Coca Cola (619)266-6306 |
Visuals:
Youth with
anti tobacco and alcohol signs, breaking of piñatas, youth mariachi
group, and large pictures of local Latino families |
