Ofrendas remembering family and people who had lost their lives in ICE custody were decorated with marigolds, burning candles, and offerings of food they once loved during the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30.
LBCC student clubs and organizations were invited to design and create their own ofrendas to display for the evening during the event.
”On our altar tonight we are honoring the victims of violence from ongoing I.C.E. Raids,” said Martha Torres, ESL Club Secretary.
Fruits and breads accompany marigolds on the ofrenda made by the ESL Club to honor those who have died while in ICE custody, displayed at the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. (Diosa Hippolyta)
A message acknowledging the deaths of those who have passed in ICE custody on the ESL Clubs ofrenda surrounded by fruit offerings and pictures of the dead during the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. (Diosa Hippolyta)
The ofrenda displayed pictures of the deceased and a message of acknowledgement of the lives lost across the country while in ICE custody.
“Some of them were from this year, and others were from other years, but all of them were people who died while in custody of ICE,” Torres said.
Torres spoke of Gabriel Garcia Aviles, who died on Oct. 23 while in ICE custody in Victorville from what the Department of Homeland Security said was a “cardiac arrest due to alcohol withdrawal,” his picture being one of the many on the ofrenda.
A portrait of Gabriel Garcia Avila, who died while in ICE custody on Oct. 23, on the ofrenda made by LBCC’s ESL Club. (Diosa Hippolyta)
“Dia de los Muertos has a very special meaning for me and the connection to my father who died many years ago. … So many of these cases have been impactful, even if they aren’t family. … Sometimes they have illnesses, but in the detention center they aren’t given the necessary care, or another who was shot to death by ICE, so it impacts us enough to honor these people.” Torres said
Torres explained that even if those on the ofrenda were not directly connected to the local community, their loss of life is a reminder of the reality that the immigrant community faces.
“They were working people looking for jobs and what they found was death for whatever reason,” Torres said.
Voz Club President Edgar Rosales, set up an ofrenda honoring his father and the grandmothers of two close friends.
“Tonight is about me taking the time to remember and spend time creating a display that is dedicated to them,” Rosales said.
Dia de los Muertos is partially dedicated to remember the dead, while also being a time to celebrate the lives they lived through food, song, dance and face painting.
A community made ofrenda on display during the Dia de los Muertos celebration event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. (Isaiah Ryan)
A large community ofrenda where attendees could place pictures of loved ones throughout the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. Multiple ofrendas were present at the event, including some made by clubs at the college. (Diosa Hippolyta)
”I wanted to bring my daughter to experience the ceremony for the first time at LBCC,” said Amanda Covarrubias, TTC EOPS and Care Counselor.
Face painting was done by face painting artist and Happy Caritas’s owner, Monica Conde, which was available for both kids and adults.
”I wanted pink roses because they are my favorite,” LBUSD kindergartener Terese Asaaderaghi, said.
Face paint artist and owner of Happy Caritas Monica Conde, left, paints the face of kindergartener Terese Asaaderaghi during the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. The face painting of the calavera was a way for the dead to be represented, and was available for all in attendance. (Diosa Hippolyta)
Local Mexican food truck Las Guajolotas provided the catering with red or green chile tamales made specifically for the event, pan de muerto and champurrado.
“We want students to understand they don’t have to separate their identity from their culture at LBCC. … We wanted to make it as authentic as possible,” Director of Student Equity Eric Becerra said.
During Dia de los Muertos, it is believed the dead have a brief window to leave the spirit realm and visit their loved ones in the mortal world.
“By speaking their names, displaying their photos, bringing them their favorite foods and drinks they liked when they were alive, we keep them alive,” Becerra said.
LBCC student mariachi band Los Vikingos performs during the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. This performance was the premiere for the band, formed from LBCC’s first music class for the mariachi style. (Isaiah Ryan)
A child colors a Dia de los Muertos themed sheet during the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. The face painting of the calavera was a way for for the dead to be represented, and was available for all in attendance. (Isaiah Ryan)
Lauren-Elise Asaaderaghi, right, watches as her sister Terese Asaaderaghi, middle, gets half her face painted by face paint artist and owner of Happy Caritas Monica Conde during the Dia de los Muertos event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. (Diosa Hippolyta)
An attendee with his calavera face paint during the Dia de los Muertos celebration event at the LAC E Quad on Oct. 30. The face painting of the calavera was a way for for the dead to be represented, and was available for all in attendance. (Isaiah Ryan)
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