Mexican freedom celebrated

Tens of thousands gathered at Plaza Fiesta on Buford Highway Sunday to celebrate Mexican Independence Day with music and food.

The holiday commemorates Mexico’s independence from former colonial ruler Spain. It’s akin to the Fourth of July in the United States.

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Todd R. McQueen / Special

David Coronado, 4, waves a Mexican flag to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. About 40,000 people were expected to attend, though no official numbers were available late Sunday afternoon.

About 40,000 people were expected to attend, although by late afternoon there was no official count, said Daniela Ferreira, marketing assistant for Plaza Fiesta.

The independence holiday, which is celebrated tonight and Tuesday in Mexico, honors the night in 1810 when a Catholic priest, Father Miguel Hidalgo, incited Mexico’s indigenous and mixed-race peoples to rise up against their Spanish rulers. An 11-year revolutionary war ensued, and Mexico gained independence in 1821. In the meantime, Hidalgo was tried by the Inquisition and executed.

An official from the consul general of Mexico in Atlanta addressed the crowd at Plaza Fiesta Sunday and re-enacted the “Shout of Independence” of Hidalgo. Traditionally that involves shouting “Viva Mexico!” or “Long Live Mexico,” to the crowd, which responds, “Viva!”

In addition to patriotic speeches, vendors sold tacos, tamales and corn on the cob. Groups playing Mexican banda music — consisting of a large ensemble of brass horns and drums — performed throughout the day.

Metro Atlanta is home to an estimated 292,011 people who considered themselves Mexican or of Mexican heritage, according to 2006 U.S. census numbers.

Of those, 187,291 were foreign born and 104,720 were born in the United States.