In the spirit of Dia de los Muertos and in light of the police violence that continues to plague our communities and steal the lives of young people of color, The Ovarian Psycos asks you to join us in celebrating the lives of loved ones we have lost and those who have been taken from us.
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Meet up: 6PM
Belvedere Park (in front of the Virgen de Guadalupe mural, 4800 Cesar E. Chavez Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90022)
Roll Out: 6:30PM
End Location: East LA Civic Center Park
**note if you are unable to make it to the ride feel free to meet up with us for the ceremony**
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Bring:
– A working bike
-Bike Lights
-Water to stay hydrated
-Comfortable clothes
– Helmet
-Pump/patches
-An open mind/heart
During the ceremony we will be building a community altar. Please feel free to bring photos of any loved ones, medicines, candles, flowers, food, toys, etc. to contribute to the altar
(you’ll get you contributions back at the end!)
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THIS RIDE IS OPEN TO MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) WOMYN, WOMYN ID FOLX, TRANS, GENDER-NON CONFORMING & TWO SPIRIT FOLX. THIS RIDE IS NOT OPEN TO CIS MEN AND MALE ID FOLX. PLEASE RESPECT THE SPACE
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What is Dia de los Muertos?
No, its not the Mexican version of Halloween. Dia de los Muertos is a tradition that has been celebrated in Mexico for the last 3000+ years. Originally a month long celebration beginning in August, Pre-Colombian Meso-American cultures believed that their dead came back to visit the living during this time of year. Unlike the Spaniards, who viewed death as the end of life, Meso-American peoples viewed it as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. However, the Spaniards considered the ritual to be sacrilegious. They perceived the indigenous people to be barbaric and pagan. In their attempts to convert them to Catholicism, the Spaniards tried to kill the ritual. To make it more Christian, the Spaniards moved it so it coincided with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 1 and 2), which is when it is celebrated today. Meso- American peoples refused to let their traditions die, and 500 years after colonization Mexicans, Mexican-Americans as well as many other cultures throughout the Americas continue to practice these traditions.
In Mexico, people often celebrate by visiting cemeteries where their loved ones are buried. They decorate gravesites with marigold flowers and candles. They bring toys for dead children and bottles of tequila to adults. They sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones. Here in the States families and communities build altars dedicating them to the dead. They surround these altars with flowers, food and pictures of the deceased. They light candles and place them next to the altar.
Check out the FB event page to stay updated on the event or for any changes!
O.V.A.S. 